Personality Disorders and The Five-Factor Model of Personality

TLDR

The study examines how MMPI, MCMI‑I, and MCMI‑II scales differ and proposes integrating trait models with psychiatric disorder concepts. The authors correlated NEO‑PI scores with MMPI, MCMI‑I, and MCMI‑II scales across three samples (297, 207, and 62 participants) to assess links between personality disorder scales and the five‑factor model. Findings confirm that the five‑factor model captures dimensions of both normal and abnormal personality, replicating earlier work.

Abstract

Data from three normal samples were used to examine links between personality disorder scales and measures of the five-factor model of personality. In the first study, self-reports, spouse ratings, and peer ratings on the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI), a measure of the five basic factors of personality, were correlated with MMPI personality disorder scales in a sample of 297 adult volunteers. In the second study, self-reports on the NEO-PI were correlated with Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-I) scales in a sample of 207 adults; self-reports on the MCMI-II were examined in a sample of 62 students. Results generally replicated the findings of Wiggins and Pincus (1990), suggesting that the five-factor model encompasses dimensions of both normal and abnormal personality. Distinctions between the MMPI, MCMI-I, and MCMI-II scales are examined in light of the model, and suggestions are made for integrating traditional personality trait models with psychiatric conceptions of disorder.