The OPD Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQ): first results on reliability and validity]

The concept of psychic structure plays a central role in the Operationalised Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD) system. Until recently, its reliable and valid assessment had to be based on expert ratings of clinical interviews, limiting the use of the OPD in routine measurements and research, and excluding the patients perspective. The current study describes the development and evaluation of a questionnaire on the OPD structure axis (OPD-SQ) in several clinical and non-clinical samples (N=1112). The questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency for all the sub-scales of the OPD-SQ. Differences in mean values between the samples and between patients with vs. without personality disorders were as expected. We also found correlations with other relevant aspects of personality (attachment security, neuroticism). There were no to minimal effect of age and gender. The OPD-SQ is a helpful tool for a broad use in clinical routine as well as research projects.