Abstract
The diagnostic operationalization of personality disorders is at the crossroads. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Menial Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5), includes 2 separate systems for the diagnosis of personality disorders (PDs)-1 that is purely categorical (Section II) and 1 that is primarily dimensional (Section III). The International Classification of Diseases (11th ed.) will use a dimensional approach for the diagnosis of PDs. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) PD Spectra scales were developed as measures of both the traditional and the alternative and scientifically supported systems. The current study examined the criterion and construct validity of these scales in a sample of 343 psychiatric patients. Patients completed the MMPI-2-RF, a measure of traditional personality disorders, a measure of the DSM-5 alternative model of personality disorder traits, and a measure of the 5-factor model of personality. Overall, with the exception of the Narcissistic and the Obsessive-Compulsive PD Spectra scales. the criterion and construct validity findings were quite supportive of these scales. Implications of these findings are discussed.