Research article
Functioning styles of personality disorders and five-factor normal personality traits: a correlation study in Chinese students
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* Corresponding author: Wei Wang wang_wei@mail.hf.ah.cn
1 Division of Neuropsychology and Psychotherapy, Anhui Institute of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
2 Department of Health Affaires, Fengyang Normal School, Fengyang, Anhui, China
3 Department of Psychological Counseling, Chuzhou School of Health, Chuzhou, Anhui, China
4 Anhui School of Energy Resource Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
5 Department of Health Affaires, Anhui School of Economic Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
6 Hefei Professional College of Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
7 Center of Student Psychological Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, Anhui, China
8 Department of Student Affaires, Police Academy Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
9 Department of Medical Psychology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
10 Bureau of Executive Affaires, Anhui University of Industry, Maanshan, Anhui, China
11 Center for Psychological Counseling, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
BMC Psychiatry 2003, 3:11 doi:10.1186/1471-244X-3-11
Published: 17 September 2003Abstract
Background
Previous studies show that both the categorical and dimensional descriptors of personality disorders are correlated with normal personality traits. Recently, a 92-item inventory, the Parker Personality Measure (PERM) was designed as a more efficient and precise first-level assessment of personality disorders. Whether the PERM constructs are correlated with those of the five-factor models of personality needs to be clarified.
Methods
We therefore invited 913 students from poly-technical schools and colleges in China to answer the PERM, the Five-Factor Nonverbal Personality Questionnaire (FFNPQ), and the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ).
Results
Most personality constructs had satisfactory internal alphas. PERM constructs were loaded with FFNPQ and ZKPQ traits clearly on four factors, which can be labelled as Dissocial, Emotional Dysregulation, Inhibition and Compulsivity, as reported previously. FFNPQ Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness and Extraversion formed another Factor, named Experience Hunting, which was not clearly covered by PERM or ZKPQ.
Conclusion
The PERM constructs were loaded in a predictable way on the disordered super-traits, suggesting the PERM might offer assistance measuring personality function in clinical practice.