title: Extending the Use of the SCORS-G Composite Ratings in Assessing Level of Personality Organization.
abstract: The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global Rating Method (SCORS-G; Stein, Hilsenroth, Slavin-Mulford, & Pinsker, 2011 ; Westen, 1995b ) reliably measures the quality of object relations in narrative material. It assesses 8 dimensions (on a continuum from maladaptive to adaptive) that mediate interpersonal functioning. The 8 dimensions can be averaged to create a global or composite score to represent a person's overall object relational functioning. This study aimed to create levels of personality organization using the SCORS-G global score ratings of Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) narratives and to explore the construct validity of these levels using a multimethod approach (i.e., psychopathology, normal personality, and life-event data). Meaningful relationships were found between the SCORS-G level of personality organization and aspects of psychopathology (Personality Assessment Inventory; Morey, 1991 ), regulation and control (NEO Five-Factor Inventory; Costa & McCrae, 1989, 1992b ), and number of psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and educational level. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential value of creating levels of personality organization (LPO) using the SCORS-G composite or global ratings as a supplement to the psychological assessment process and further highlights the utility of this measure in the field of personality assessment. Clinical and research-related implications as well as limitations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory (PEaRL), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Michelle B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychological Sciences , Augusta University.
authors.forename: Jenelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slavin-Mulford
authors.affiliation: a Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory (PEaRL), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Samuel Justin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: a Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory (PEaRL), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Wei-Jean
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , Penn State Altoona.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.affiliation: d T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University.
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denckla
authors.affiliation: a Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory (PEaRL), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blais
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068356:Self-Control; D012919:Social Behavior; D013803:Thematic Apperception Test