Construct validity of the DSM-5 Section III maladaptive trait domains in Belgian community-dwelling older adults

Background. The DSM-5 Section III model of Personality disorders, with its dimensions of maladaptive traits (criterion B), and impaired personality functioning (criterion A), offers important research opportunities concerning the applicability in older adults. The development of the short version of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5-BF; Krueger et al., 2013) to measure the maladaptive trait domains, can stimulate the use of Section III, and address the need for shorter instruments in older populations. Nevertheless, there is need for research on the generalizability of the PID-5 five factor structure in old age, for both the long and short form of the PID-5, as the later life context was not explicitly addressed during the development of DSM-5.
Method. This is the first independent study validating the PID-5-BF, by examining 1) the proposed structural model in 293 community-dwelling elderly (ages 65-99), and 2) the nomological network of the the PID-5 en PID-5-BF (criterion B) in terms of relations with domains of personality functioning (criterion A), as well as relations with age-specific indicators of personality pathology (n=124; ages 65-92).
Results. Four factors were similar, yet psychoticism was not supported as a separate factor in the PID-5 and PID-5-BF. Notwithstanding, the convergent validity of the trait domains was corroborated in both versions.
Conclusions. The slightly different structure between the two forms did not lead to large differences in the nomological network. Integration with previous findings, as well as future directions in the research of the alternative PD model in older adults will be discussed.