Measuring the Core Features of Personality Disorders in Substance Abusers Using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)

Abstract

Personality disorders (PDs) are still classified through categorical taxonomies that are at odds with current research findings. Dimensional models provide a suitable alternative for measuring individual differences. However, as they have traditionally lacked a clear definition of the "disorder" construct, the clinical utility of these models has been limited. This study tests whether Cloninger's dimensional model is able to capture two domains: the features that differentiate PD subtypes from each other and the common core features underlying all PDs. Seventy-four drug dependent patients were independently assessed using the SCID-II and Cloninger's TCI. There was a slight relationship between TCI temperament dimensions and the DSM personality disorder subtypes, but the association was not specific enough to allow differential diagnosis. The character dimension Self-Directedness was strongly associated with the presence and severity of all PDs, irrespective of subtype, correctly classifying 77% of subjects. Character dimensions are a reliable, valid and low-cost tool for detecting PDs in drug abusers and may help to provide an operational definition of the common core features underlying all PDs.

Personality Profile in Young Current Regular Users of Cocaine

“…Although only 15 subjects received a personality disorder diagnosis and the characteristics of this group made it possible to find some differences, caution is recommended when interpreting these results. These results partially agree with the findings of a previous study (Gutierrez, Sangorrin, Martin-Santos, Torres, and Torrens, 2002), in which illegal substance users with a personality disorders scored higher on Harm Avoidance and lower on Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. Moreover, our findings disagree with others in which no Novelty-Seeking differences were found in the TCI profile in terms of presence personality disorders or not (Fassino, Abbate, Delsedime, Rogna, and Boggio, 2004).…”

Personality measures in former heroin users receiving methadone or in protracted abstinence from opiates

“…As in other samples, the MM group showed elevated scores on scales of Novelty Seeking, while controls scored higher on scales of Self-Directedness (19,28). The methadone groups, however, did not show significant elevation on the scale for Harm Avoidance, as was demonstrated in other samples (18).…”

Personality does not distinguish people with fibromyalgia but identifies subgroups of patients

“…The NEO-FFI-R does not include some pathological personality traits [72,73]. Further research might try to replicate our results assessing other personality traits, such as perfectionism, or using a dimensional model that deals with this limitation, such as the model of pathological personality of Livesley et al [74].…”