Associations between physical health and the alternative model of personality disorders: A cross‐sectional age study

Abstract

The Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) is a relatively new dimensional model of personality disorders (PDs) that assesses two diagnostic constructs: personality functioning and pathological personality traits. Thus far, research on the AMPD among older adults has been limited, but the research that does exist suggests limited generalizability to the unique biopsychosocial context of later life. To further examine the applicability of the AMPD to older adults, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between the AMPD's two constructs with perceived physical health status among younger and older adult samples. Older adults (n = 222) and younger adults (n = 215) completed the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), Levels of Personality Functioning Scale‐Self‐Report (LPFS‐SR), and Personality Inventory for DSM‐5‐Brief Form (PID‐5‐BF). Correlations and Fisher's z‐tests revealed significantly stronger relationships between the SF‐36 with the LPFS‐SR and PID‐5‐BF domains for older adults than younger adults. Additionally, age group significantly moderated the relationships between personality functioning and pathological personality traits and health. The stronger relationships between health and the AMPD's constructs for older adults suggest meaningful overlap between negative health outcomes and PD pathology. Future research should further investigate specific mechanisms in which personality pathology negatively impacts health in older adults.