A Five-Factor Model Description of Depressive Personality Disorder

Abstract

This investigation extends previous work on Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality disorder profiles. Specifically, a FFM expert consensus prototype for Depressive Personality Disorder (DPD) using the 30 facets of the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) was developed. Initial validation of this prototype in a psychiatric population employed several clinical scales. When combined with trait information yielded by criteria translation and empirical approaches, the composite FFM profile emphasized several facets that represent the core components of DPD. In addition to several traits represented by the current DSM conceptualization of DPD, such as depressiveness, anxiousness, self-consciousness, and low tendermindedness, the composite profile was also characterized by several unrepresented traits, such as high modesty and low positive emotionality, warmth, assertiveness, trust, and achievement striving. Future definitions of depressive personality, conceptualized either as a DSM-V personality disorder or as a multifaceted construct, should consider these additional traits.