Patient-Reported ICD-11 Personality Disorder Severity and DSM-5 Level of Personality Functioning

Abstract

This study evaluated the Standardized Assessment of Severity of Personality Disorder (SASPD) proposed for ICD-11 and the Level of Personality Functioning Scale–Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF) developed for DSM-5 Section III and their relationships with external correlates. We used a clinical sample (N = 150; 33% women) of 65 psychiatric outpatients and 85 incarcerated addicts, who self-reported the SASPD and the LPFS-BF. We conducted correlation and regression analyses in order to determine the relative associations of these two measures with relevant external criteria. SASPD predominantly captured externalizing and other-related problems (e.g., potential harm to others), whereas LPFS-BF predominantly captured internalizing and self-related problems (e.g., identity and distress). Generally, LPFS-BF explained more variance of the external criteria relative to SASPD. The findings seem to reflect that the ICD-11 oriented SASPD emphasizes interpersonal and aggressive features, whereas the DSM-5–oriented LPFS-BF emphasizes self-pathology and distress. More conclusive findings warrant interview-rated personality functioning.