Personality and personality disorders - A facet theoretical analysis of similarity relationships

Relevant categorical and dimensional models of personality, personality disorders (PD) and their interrelationships will be discussed under the hypothetical perspective, that higher order personality traits structure the personality of normal persons as well as of the mentally ill, and that no principle, but only a gradual difference exists between normal personalities and PDs. A facet theoretical analysis of the structural relationships between personality factors and PDs is described, for which data have been collected from a non-clinical sample (N = 100), a consecutive, nosologically heterogenous clinical sample (N = 165), and from a specific sample of self-mutilators (N = 51). Results show, that the two classes of variables can be attached to each other in a similar manner and structured in form of a radex in all three samples. However, differences were found, as well, especially with regard to the significance of two personality factors, neurotizism and aggressiveness.