Individual differences science for treatment planning: Personality traits.

Abstract

Emory University Evolving ethical, legal, and financial demands require a plan before treatment begins. The authors argue that individual differences research requires the inclusion of personality trait assessment for the construction and implementation of any treatment plan that would lay claim to scientific status. A primer of personality individual differences for treatment planning is presented, including an introduction to constructive realism and major research findings from trait psychology and behavior genetics bearing on treatment plannilag. The authors present 4 important gains for treatment planning that can be realized from the science of individual differences in personality: (a) knowing where to focus change efforts, (b) realistic expectations, (c) matching treatment to personality, and (d) development of the self. Gone are the days when a therapist could delay planning and simply allow therapy to unfold. Instead, evolving ethical demands (e.g., informed consent), legal demands (e.g., liability management, mandated record keeping), and financial demands (e.g., third-party preapproval) require a plan before treatment begins. In this article, we show that science makes demands as well. The last 40 years of individual differences research require the inclusion of personality trait assessment for the construction and implementation of any treatment plan that would lay claim to scientific status. Science Should Guide Treatment Planning