Profile of the Membership of the Society for Personality Assessment: Comparisons Between 1987 and 1990

In this study, we report the findings of a 1990 survey of the membership of the Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) and compare these results with a similar survey conducted in 1987. A four-page questionnaire was sent to approximately 1,800 SPA members; 900 surveys were returned, for a 50% response rate. Information was obtained on professional activities, occupational setting, theoretical orientation, and various demographic characteristics. Clinical practice was reported as the primary professional activity of the vast majority of SPA members; more than 40% of the 1990 sample indicated private practice as their primary job setting, compared to 35% in I987. A larger proportion of SPA members are also now working in private/clinical practice, medical centers, and outpatient community clinics than in 1987. Although a psychodynamic-psychoanalytic orientation continues to be the dominant theoretical perspective of SPA members, the proportion of members with a cognitive-behavioral orientation has increased substantially since 1987. We concluded that SPA members are now more involved in clinical practice, and that the SPA has become more ecumenical in theoretical perspective as the membership has more than doubled over the past 3 years.     

Profile of the membership of the Society for Personality Assessment: comparisons between 1987 and 1990

In this study, we report the findings of a 1990 survey of the membership of the Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) and compare these results with a similar survey conducted in 1987. A four-page questionnaire was sent to approximately 1,800 SPA members; 900 surveys were returned, for a 50% response rate. Information was obtained on professional activities, occupational setting, theoretical orientation, and various demographic characteristics. Clinical practice was reported as the primary professional activity of the vast majority of SPA members; more than 40% of the 1990 sample indicated private practice as their primary job setting, compared to 35% in I987. A larger proportion of SPA members are also now working in private/clinical practice, medical centers, and outpatient community clinics than in 1987. Although a psychodynamic-psychoanalytic orientation continues to be the dominant theoretical perspective of SPA members, the proportion of members with a cognitive-behavioral orientation has increased substantially since 1987. We concluded that SPA members are now more involved in clinical practice, and that the SPA has become more ecumenical in theoretical perspective as the membership has more than doubled over the past 3 years.     

Sidney Blatt's Contributions to Personality Assessment

Over a long, distinguished career, Sidney Blatt contributed to theory and research in personality development, personality assessment, and psychotherapy. Best known for his 2-configurations model of personality and author or co-author of more than 250 articles and 18 books and monographs, Blatt was also a master clinician, a psychoanalyst who was awarded the 1989 Bruno J. Klopfer Award by the Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) for his contributions to both self-report and performance-based assessment. He was also the president of SPA from 1984 to 1986. This special series contains papers by writers who participated in all aspects of Blatt's contributions to personality assessment, both self-report and performance-based. Topics covered include Blatt's 2-configurations model of personality, development, and psychopathology; boundary disturbance and psychosis in performance-based assessment; the interaction of gender and personality on narrative assessments; and the Object Relations Inventory and differentiation relatedness, especially as these relate to therapeutic outcome.     

Collaborative, individualized assessment

Collaborative, individualized assessment is an approach to psychological assessment in which the assessor and the client work together to develop productive understandings. Collaboration is a means of individualizing the assessment--its process, resulting suggestions, and written accounts. In this approach, life events are regarded as primary data. Test scores, categories, and related research are used as bridges into a particular life and as tools for then exploring that life. This article, an invited Master Lecture presented at the 1999 Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) meeting, presents examples of contextualizing, intervening, describing in life-world terms, and writing individualized reports with suggestions. Historical struggles to promote individualized assessment and current openness to its practices, especially within SPA, are mentioned. A hermeneutic approach to impression formation is described.     

Differentiation of biogenic and psychogenic impotence with the Eysenck personality questionnaire and the inventory of sexual attitudes

Thirty-one men with erectile dysfunction completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Inventory of Sexual Attitudes. Biomedical assessment was utilized to assign men to biogenic and psychogenic groups. The only significant difference noted between the two groups was a tendency of men with psychogenic impotence to be more introverted.     

Introduction to the special issue on personality assessment in the DSM-5

The DSM-5 is poised to dramatically reshape the way clinicians and researchers assess personality by reconfiguring the conceptualization of DSM-IV personality disorders. This special issue brings together leading scholars in personality pathology, including members of the DSM-5 Personality and Personality Pathology Work Group, as well as personality assessors operating from a variety of theoretical perspectives, to describe various facets of these changes and their potential impacts and in some cases to propose alternative solutions. As we describe in this brief introductory article, the articles in this special issue highlight several important and controversial issues in the transition to DSM-5 personality assessment.     

Capturing the psychopathic female: a prototypicality analysis of the comprehensive assessment of psychopathic personality (CAPP) across gender

Psychopathy in women has been subject to little systematic investigation; no coherent conceptualization of the disorder in women exists. Previous research is constrained by the reliance both on a male conceptualization of psychopathy and on assessment instruments developed, and primarily validated, with men. This study utilized a newly developed, broad, personality-based, and gender-sensitive lexical model of psychopathy, the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP). Prototypical analysis was used to explore gender differences in the construct and the content validity of the CAPP model across gender. Symptoms were rated by international mental health professionals (N = 132). The findings support the content validity of the CAPP across gender and suggest that – at symptom and domain levels – psychopathic men and women have key similarities, but also that important gender differences exists. This has implications for the assessment of psychopathy in women, and has relevance for the proposed revision of diagnostic criteria for personality disorders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A survey of psychological assessment feedback practices

There have been no previous studies on how often psychologists conduct feedback and whether they view this practice as a useful component of assessment. To explore psychologists' feedback practices and their perception of the effects of feedback on their clients, the authors examined survey data from 719 psychologist members of the International Neuropsychological Society, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the Society for Personality Assessment who regularly conducted assessments as part of their professional activities. The results indicated that the majority of respondents (71%) frequently provided in-person assessment feedback to their clients and/or their clients' families. Furthermore, most respondents (72%) indicated that clients found this information to be helpful and positive. Factors contributing to perceived positive feedback effects, including graduate training and feedback session length, were also examined. Last, differences in the feedback practices of psychologists predominantly practicing neuropsychology versus those predominantly practicing personality assessment were sampled and discussed.     

Development and validation of a new procedure for the diagnostic assessment of personality disorder: the Multidimensional Personality Disorder Rating Scale (MPDRS)

Data from a community-based prospective longitudinal study were used to investigate the utility of a structured assessment of the DSM-IV General Diagnostic Criteria for a Personality Disorder (PD). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV PDs (SCID-II) was administered to 154 adults. After completing the interview, an experienced clinician assessed the General Diagnostic Criteria for a PD using a structured rating scale. PD diagnoses, based solely on the rating scale data, demonstrated strong agreement with diagnoses obtained using the diagnostic thresholds for specific PDs (Kappa = 0.89). The sensitivity, specificity, predictive power, and internal reliability of the rating scale were satisfactory. PD diagnoses, based on both of the assessment procedures, were associated with substantial impairment and distress. These findings suggest that a structured assessment of the DSM-IV General Diagnostic Criteria for a Personality Disorder may constitute a useful alternative or supplement to standard assessments of the diagnostic thresholds for specific DSM-IV PDs.     

A longitudinal study of high scorers on the hypomanic personality scale

Former college students (n = 36) identified by high scores on the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HYP; Eckblad & Chapman, 1986) were compared with control participants (n = 31) at a 13-year follow-up assessment. As hypothesized, the HYP group reported more bipolar disorders and major depressive episodes than the control group. The HYP group also exceeded the control group on the severity of psychotic-like experiences, symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and rates of substance use disorders. HYP group members with elevated scores on the Impulsive-Nonconformity Scale (Chapman et al., 1984) experienced greater rates of bipolar mood disorders, poorer overall adjustment, and higher rates of arrest than the remaining HYP or control participants.     

Opinions of personality disorder experts regarding the DSM-IV personality disorders classification system

OBJECTIVE: To survey the opinions of personality disorder (PD) experts on possible revisions in the classification system for PDs in the DSM-V. METHOD: Four hundred members of two international associations, the Association for Research on Personality Disorders, and the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, were asked to take a 78-item web survey. RESULTS: Of the experts who completed the survey (N = 96), 74% felt that the DSM-IV's categorical system of PD diagnosis should be replaced. Eighty percent felt that PDs are better conceived of as personality dimensions or illness spectra, than as categories. The most frequently endorsed alternative system for PDs was a mixed system of categories and dimensions. Most experts preferred the PDs to remain on Axis II. Only 31.3% wanted the term, "Borderline Personality Disorder," retained in the DSM-V. CONCLUSIONS: A clear majority of the PD experts were dissatisfied with the current diagnostic system for PDs.     

Maximum likelihood estimates of the ability of the MMPI and MCMI personality disorder scales and the SIDP to identify personality disorders.

The ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) personality disorder scales and the Structured Interview for DSM-III Personality Disorders (SIDP) to identify personality disorders was estimated statistically using 122 subjects. Each technique was reasonably accurate when various diagnoses were excluded, but they were quite variable in identifying members of specific diagnostic categories. The same general pattern was seen when the disorders were combined into three general diagnostic clusters. The techniques excluded cluster membership fairly well, although there was little agreement across techniques for identifying cluster membership. The MCMI, however, was moderately adept at identifying membership in all three clusters. It was suggested that these instruments should be used cautiously in clinical settings and that additional data on their performance be obtained.     

Development and preliminary validation of a semi-structured interview for the screening of law enforcement candidates

A standard practice among most law enforcement agencies is to include psychological screening in the selection of job candidates. Although the use of personality tests in predicting job performance of law enforcement officers has received empirical support (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Inwald Personality Inventory), there is a conspicuous absence of data regarding the reliability and validity of interview procedures. The present study represents the first step in the development of a standardized, semi-structured interview for use in the screening of law enforcement personnel. This interview, the Law Enforcement Candidate Interview, was constructed using content areas drawn from measures used in the screening of law enforcement personnel (e.g., Inwald Personality Inventory) and assessment of personality functioning (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders). This interview was then administered by two doctoral students to a group of law enforcement academy cadets (n=34). A modest degree of inter-rater reliability was achieved, although internal consistency was somewhat lacking. Interview scores were correlated with measures of academy performance (final grade-point average and peer and supervisor ranking of academy performance). Results of these analyses suggest the LECI is a modest predictor of academy performance. Potential uses of the LECI and future research indications are outlined.     

Psychological consequences of involvement in a new religious movement or cult

It has frequently been suggested that the psychological consequences of involvement in new religious movements or cults can be profound for those who come into contact with them. To explore this further a study was carried out to investigate the relationship between personality, group membership of The Family (a new religious movement or cult) and mental health. Sixty six subjects (22 males, 44 females) in three different groups took part in this study. Group 1: Ex-members who felt negative about their involvement with The Family. Group 2: Present day members of The Family. Group 3: Ex-members who felt positive about their involvement with The Family. They completed two personality inventories (The Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire combined with the psychoticism scale of the Short Form of the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Beck Sociotrophy-Autonomy Scale). The results from this study were consistent with previous research indicating that experiences within the group increase social dependency and decrease autonomy for those who leave, whilst increasing the need for autonomous or individualistic achievement and lessening social conformity for present day members. This study suggests that some of the psychological difficulties which people have reported experiencing on leaving these groups are likely to be alleviated, to a degree, by time and from contact with a support group.     

Concurrent validity of the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory as a measure of depression in hospitalized adolescents.

This study examined the concurrent validity of the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI; Millon 1993) in the assessment of depression among 88 adolescent inpatients. Doleful Personality and Depressive Affect scales were moderately predictive of a clinical diagnosis of depression, but both scales were strongly associated with scores on the Children's Depression Inventory (Kovacs, 1992). The Suicidal Tendencies scale was weakly associated with placement on suicide precautions. Overall, these results provide moderate support for the use of the MACI in the assessment of hospitalized adolescents.     

The clinical utility of the MMPI-2 Antisocial Practices Content Scale

This study explored the ability of the MMPI-2 Antisocial Practices Content Scale (ASP) to correctly classify DSM-IV Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). ASP scores and scores on the MMPI-2 Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scale were compared in an APD group (n = 10), a Borderline Personality Disorder group (n = 16), a Narcissistic Personality Disorder group (n = 9), an Other Personality Disorder group (representing personality disorders from Clusters A and C; n = 14), and a nonclinical population (NC; n = 67). The ASP exhibited an ability to differentiate APD from other personality disorders and was significantly correlated to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for APD while the Pd was not. Diagnostic efficiency statistics (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power, negative predictive power, overall correct classification rate, and kappa) were calculated under four different conditions in a clinically relevant manner (Kessel & Zimmerman, 1993. Psychological Assessment, 53, 395-399). The results of this study illustrate the usefulness of the ASP as a tool for the assessment of antisocial attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in individuals suspected of having APD. This information may be valuable to clinicians who are planning treatment or assessing treatment outcome for clients with APD.     

Correlates of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) scales in a forensic assessment setting

Empirical correlates of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) scales in a forensic assessment setting were identified. Archival extratest data, including demographics, psychosocial history, criminal behavior history, and current mental status and psychodiagnosis, were extracted from the case files of 593 men and women referred to a forensic assessment clinic for criminal court-ordered evaluations. Zero-order and multiple correlations were calculated between the MMPI-2 PSY-5 scales and relevant criterion variables. Findings indicated that the PSY-5 scales' empirical correlates in a forensic setting are similar to and consistent with those found in general mental health settings. Linear combinations of MMPI-2 PSY-5 Scale scores accounted for moderate proportions of variance in the collateral indicators.     

Standards for education and training in psychological assessment position of the Society for Personality Assessment

The Society for Personality Assessment is a national and international professional organization devoted to research and practice in the field of psychological assessment. As such, it represents practitioners of assessment regardless of discipline or degree.     

Proposals for DSM-5: introduction to special section of Journal of Personality Disorders

On February 10, 2010, the official proposals for the personality disorders section of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) were posted (see www.dsm5.org ). The posting by the DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group has been helpful in informing the field of the possible changes that may occur with DSM-5. Their presence allows for and encourages persons to provide their suggestions and concerns. The extent of the proposals is considerable. As expressed on the website, "the work group recommends a major reconceptualization of personality psychopathology" (Skodol, 2010, "Reformulation of personality disorders in DSM-5," para. 1). The proposals have generated some controversy. The Journal of Personality Disorders has always sought to be a participant in the crucial debates in our field. The purpose of this special issue is to provide members of the Work Group the opportunity to further articulate the rationale for the proposals, and to provide others an opportunity to articulate their concerns. Copies of this special issue were distributed to interested persons when the complete set of final papers were received (October of 2010).     

The consistency of hysteric traits across three situational contexts

The consistency of personality traits across three situational contexts was demonstrated, thereby supporting the view of the individual as creator of societal groups and institutions. Nineteen sorority members were administered the Multivariate Personality Inventory (MPI), an instrument that assesses eight trait styles derived from a multivariate theory of personality in three conditions varying in both temporal order and immediate strength of sorority activity. As predicted, greater endorsement of the hysteric style was found for sorority members and the endorsement remained consistent across the three situational conditions. Results are discussed in light of the view that traits are fairly comparable across situations even though social behavior could vary depending upon the demands of the situation.