title: The hierarchical structure of DSM-5 pathological personality traits.
abstract: A multidimensional trait system has been proposed for representing personality disorder (PD) features in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to address problematic classification issues such as comorbidity. In this model, which may also assist in providing scaffolding for the underlying structure of major forms of psychopathology more generally, 25 primary traits are organized by 5 higher order dimensions: Negative Affect, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism. We examined (a) the generalizability of the structure proposed for DSM-5 PD traits, and (b) the potential for an integrative hierarchy based upon DSM-5 PD traits to represent the dimensions scaffolding psychopathology more generally. A large sample of student participants (N = 2,461) completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5, which operationalizes the DSM-5 traits. Exploratory factor analysis replicated the initially reported 5-factor structure, as indicated by high factor congruencies. The 2-, 3-, and 4-factor solutions estimated in the hierarchy of the DSM-5 traits bear close resemblance to existing models of common mental disorders, temperament, and personality pathology. Thus, beyond the description of individual differences in personality disorder, the trait dimensions might provide a framework for the metastructure of psychopathology in the DSM-5 and the integration of a number of ostensibly competing models of personality trait covariation.
authors.affiliation: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, PA, USA. wright.aidan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aidan G C
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: Kristian E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Markon
authors.forename: Aaron L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Krueger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013694:Temperament