A Psychometric Analysis of the DSM-III-R Personality Disorder Criteria Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The recent revision of the DSM-III included many changes to the definitions of personality disorders. This study examined the characteristics of the 11 DSM-III-R personality disorders with respect to three psychometric criteria. Examined were the convergence of each feature with entire personality syndrome, the discriminability of the different features, and the internal consistency of the 11 sets of criteria. Results suggested that limited discriminability was a problem for most of the personality disorder criteria, and the criteria for narcissistic and avoidant personalities in particular were problematic in this respect. Suggestions for an alternative definitional strategy are made which may take advantage of the differential utility of symptoms in defining personality syndromes.

published proceedings

  • Journal of Personality Disorders

author list (cited authors)

  • Morey, L. C.

citation count

  • 36

complete list of authors

  • Morey, Leslie C

publication date

  • June 1988