Adaptive and Maladaptive Personality in Clinically-Referred Adolescents: Testing the Dimensional Trait Model

Abstract

This study examined the dimensional trait model of personality, where the Big Five adaptive and DSM-5 maladaptive personality dimensions overlap and can be considered on a spectrum. This dimensional trait model aims to overcome limitations of the current categorical representation of maladaptive personality. Research has shown promising results in normative samples, but more empirical support is needed in order to use such a model in clinical practice. We studied the dimensional trait model of personality in an adolescent clinical sample (N = 205, Mage = 20.27, 69.8% female), using the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5). Results showed mixed support for a dimensional trait model. Strong associations existed between adaptive and maladaptive personality dimensions and the 25 PID-5 subscales loaded with their hypothesized BFI dimension on a similar factor. However, a large amount of subscales in the PID-5 measure loaded on another factor besides their hypothesized one. Therefore, support for a dimensional trait of personality in this clinical sample was not as strong as in normative samples. The current study highlights the necessity for further research on the validity of the PID-5 measure and replication of a dimensional model of personality across various methods.