The Differential Profile of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) on the Basis of Criterion B of the DSM-5-AMPD in a College Sample

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study was conducted to determine the differential profile of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and avoidant personality disorder (APD) based on dimensional diagnosis in criterion B of the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (DSM-5-AMPD) in a college sample.MethodsSamples of this cross-sectional study included 320 (23.08 ± 2.66 years; 57% female) college students in western Iran during February 2015 to December 2017. Liebowitz-social anxiety scale, PID-5, SCID-II, SCID-II-SQ and diagnostic interview for SAD were the tools. The data were analysed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsForty-three and 38 participants met criteria for SAD alone and APD, respectively. Five main domains of PID-5 could explain 29% and 54% of the variance of SAD and APD, respectively. Facets of negative affect, detachment, antagonism, disinhibition, and psychoticism could explain 25% versus 43%, 26% versus 54%, 7% versus 27%, 21% versus 41%, 13% versus 30% of the variance of SAD and APD, respectively.ConclusionSAD and APD probably refer to two distinct mental states having prominent anxiety, emotional instability, and interpersonal pattern of avoidance and detachment of challenge. SAD is a simple form of mental disturbances with anxiety in its core features; although, APD is possibly referring to more complicated psychopathology.

Avoidant personality disorder and social functioning: A longitudinal, observational study investigating predictors of change in a clinical sample.

“…A recent study of AvPD and social anxiety disorder pointed to the complexity of AvPD in its own right. Negative affect explained more variance in AVPD than social anxiety disorder (43% vs. 25%; Hemmati et al, 2019).…”

“…Further studies of AvPD have specified problems within core domains of personality functioning, including closer attachment relationships (Eikenaes et al, 2016), as well as emotional self-awareness and reflection over mental states (Johansen et al, 2018; Johansen et al, 2012; Moroni et al, 2016). As a diagnostic construct, AvPD has been found to have reasonable validity and can be distinguished from the closely related condition, social phobia, by the more profound personality problems within relational and identity domains (Eikenaes et al, 2015, 2016; Hemmati et al, 2019; Hummelen et al, 2006, 2007; Pellecchia et al, 2018). In this study the relational domain captured the capacity for general enjoyment of relationships as well as closer attachment and intimacy, and the concept of identity included a sense of meaning, self-esteem, and self-perception.…”

Comparison of the relative sensitivity of two dimensional personality models to the psychopathological symptoms: the section III DSM-5 maladaptive traits versus affective temperaments

“…These traits can be measured using the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). The PID-5 structure, which was developed via factor analytic methods [ 8 ], has recently been validated in many cultures and countries [ 9 – 12 ]. Recent reviews and meta-analyses support the validity and capability of this maladaptive trait model for diagnosing PDs [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Clinical cut scores for the Persian version of the personality inventory for DSM‐5

“…Recent reports addressed strong cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between disinhibition and both antisocial and borderline diagnoses (Caspi, 1996; Kyranides et al, 2017; Mullins‐Sweatt et al, 2019; Nigg et al, 2005). Furthermore, disinhibition is associated with a range of psychiatric disorders such as substance use disorders, impulse control disorders, and PDs (Hemmati et al, 2019; Jakubczyk et al, 2018; Komasi et al, 2022, 2023; Krueger et al, 2002; Perrotta, 2020). Therefore, disinhibition can serve as a useful marker for identifying individuals who may be at risk for developing clinical disorders or who are already experiencing clinical symptoms.…”