The idiothetic structure of interpersonal trait perceptions was examined as it moderated the interpersonal rigidity-psychological well-being relation. The focus was on the extent to which individuals' perceptions of the similarity of interpersonal behavior fits (i.e., adhered to) the normative interpersonal circle. In two samples of college students, individual differences in adherence to the interpersonal circle moderated the relation of interpersonal rigidity with various indices of psychological well-being. We found that those individuals whose perceptions of interpersonal traits were better represented by the interpersonal circle had negative relations between interpersonal rigidity and satisfaction with life, self-confidence, self-liking, and complementarity and positive relations with interpersonal problems. The results suggest that adherence to the interpersonal circle may be a new means of viewing traitedness and that cognitive interpretation of traits may have an important moderating function.

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This study examined whether the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ) and its subscales assessed unique interpersonal distress. The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) was used to assess discriminant validity for unique interpersonal distress. Participants (N = 121) were recruited from a southwestern university counselor training center. Significant correlations emerged between OQ and IIP scores supporting the OQ as a measure of general interpersonal distress. However, the OQ subscales do not significantly assess unique types of interpersonal distress.

The study utilized a 32-item brief measure of interpersonal problems (IIP) to examine interpersonal distress in relation to symptomology and treatment outcome as assessed by the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45). The study included a community sample of 210 individuals receiving psychotherapy at a mental health training facility. A number of significant correlations were found between interpersonal distresses with symptomology. The highest correlations were found between levels of general interpersonal distress and symptoms relating to psychiatric and social distress at the onset of therapy; in general the IIP did not differentiate between symptomology types. The study failed to replicate previous research indicating a relation between facets of interpersonal problems with treatment outcome.