Two major challenges that must be addressed by dimensional models, if they are to be considered viable alternatives to the present categorical system for diagnosing personality disorders, involve the issues of coverage and cutoffs. Several dimensional models of personality and personality pathology are evaluated with these issues in mind. There is growing consensus for the relevance of at least four higher-order domains of personality functioning that are clearly related to personality pathology: neuroticism/negative affectivity/emotional dysregulation, extraversion/positive emotionality, dissocial/antagonistic behavior, and constraint/compulsivity/conscientiousness. A proposal for developing a dimensionally based diagnostic system for personality disorders incorporating these higher-order traits is offered.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Timothy J. Trull (2005) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 3 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: