title: Autonomy-connectedness and internalizing-externalizing personality psychopathology, among outpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this research were to investigate gender differences in levels of autonomy-connectedness, Axis I Psychopathology, and higher order factors of internalizing and externalizing personality psychopathology and, second, to investigate the association between these variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design of this research is cross-sectional and multicentered.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used self-report questionnaires, factor analysis, and regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found evidence for a significant role of autonomy-connectedness in Axis I Psychopathology. This was especially true for women, who were found to be more sensitive to others and sensitivity to others was strongly associated with Axis I Psychopathology. Maybe due to the research sample no evidence was found for an association of autonomy-connectedness with externalizing psychopathology. As to the role of autonomy-connectedness in internalizing psychopathology, we found that a lack of self-awareness or a capacity of managing new situations, combined with a high sensitivity to others, were associated with internalizing psychopathology. Women appeared to be more sensitive to others and to report higher levels of Axis I Psychopathology than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that autonomy-connectedness plays an important role in Axis I Psychopathology as well as in internalizing Axis II pathology. Treatment of Axis I and internalizing Axis II psychopathology should therefore also focus on autonomy problems.
authors.affiliation: Vincent van Gogh, for Mental Health Care, The Netherlands. nbachrach@vvgi.nl
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bachrach
authors.forename: Marrie H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bekker
authors.forename: Marcel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Croon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D010045:Outpatients; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010551:Personality; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors