The aim of this study was to propose and evaluate a model in which differential relationships are hypothesized between the nature and degree of functional hemispheric asymmetry (FHA), or neuropsychological differentiation on the one hand, and optimal or healthy personality functioning (OPF) vs. impaired personality functioning (IPF), on the other. FHA is operationalized by means of indices of the degree of left-hemisphere specialization for processing verbal information and the degree of right-hemisphere specialization for the recognition of emotional facial expressions. The degree of optimal personality functioning is operationalized with indices of self-actualization and autonomy, and the degree of impaired personality functioning with indices of the degree of anxiety and depression. The model was evaluated with the aid of the RAMONA program for path analysis with latent variables. The hypothesized model fits the data relatively well. A complex pattern of relationships emerged, in which specific qualities of FHA are associated with healthy vs. impaired personality functioning. From a systems perspective functional differentiation as well as functional integration seem to be important processes to consider when relationships between aspects of personality functioning and neuropsychological processes are investigated.Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om 'n model te formuleer en te evalueer waarin diffarensisle verbande gehipotetiseer word tussen die aard en mate van funksionele hemisferiese asimmetrie (FHA) of neuropsigologiese differensiasie enersyds, en optimale of gesonde persoonlikheidsfunksionering (OPF) vs. geremde persoonlikheidsfunksionering (GPF) andersyds. FHA is geoperasionaliseer met behulp van indekse van die mate van linker-hemisfeerspesialisering vir die prosessering van verbale informasie en van die mate van regter-hemisfeerspesialisering vir die herkenning van emosionele gesigsuitdrukkings. Die mate van OPF is geoperasionaliseer met indekse van selfaktualisering en outonomie, en die mate van GPF met indekse van die mate van angs en depressie. Die model is geevalueer met behulp van die RAMONA-program vir roeteontleding met latente veranderlikes. Die gehipotetiseerde model pas die data relatief goed. 'n Komplekse patroon van verbande is ge'identifiseer, waarin bepaalde kwaliteite van FHA saamhang met gesonde vs. ongesonde persoonlikheidsfunksionering. Uit 'n sisteemperspektief blyk dit dat funksionele differensiasie sowel as funksionele integrasie belangrike prosesse is wat in ag geneem moet word wanneer verbande tussen aspekte van persoonlikheidsfunksionering en neuropsigologiese prosesse ondersoek word.