Factor Structure of the Dutch Language Version of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP)

Abstract

Abstract. The Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP) is a Q-sort procedure for personality assessment. Empirical evidence for the psychometric qualities in the United States thus far is solid, but no such data exist for the Dutch language version. In this study we aim to investigate the higher order factor structure of the Personality Syndrome (PS) scales and Trait Dimension (TD) scales of the Dutch language version of the SWAP-200 (SWAP-200-NL) in a psychiatric outpatient sample ( N = 282). For the TD scales Cronbach’s α is also calculated. Results show acceptable to good overall reliability (i.e., Cronbach’s α). Higher order factor analysis of the SWAP-200 (PS) reveals four maladaptive factors that resemble both the higher order personality traits conceptualized in section III of DSM-5 ( APA, 2013 ), as well as the constructs identified by Widiger and Simonsen (2005) after integrating 18 alternative proposals for dimensional classification. Additionally, High-Functioning Depressive PS was most prevalent in our outpatient sample. While this PS is not described in DSM-5, it is discussed here as a possibly overlooked, clinically relevant construct. Finally, this study replicates previously identified higher order factors of the TD, adding to the instrument’s robustness.