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Dimensional models of personality and a multidimensional framework for treating personality pathology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2024

Adam P. Natoli Open the ORCID record for Adam P. Natoli [Opens in a new window] ,
Jacy G. Murdock Open the ORCID record for Jacy G. Murdock [Opens in a new window] ,
Jules L. Merguie  and
Christopher J. Hopwood Open the ORCID record for Christopher J. Hopwood [Opens in a new window]
Adam P. Natoli*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Philosophy at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA. Through his research, Dr Natoli strives to develop, evaluate and apply advanced measurement and statistical methodologies to the empirical study of human behaviour, with a concentration on instrument psychometrics, applications of artificial intelligence in psychology, and questions related to personality, cross-cultural similarities and differences, psychoanalytic and psychodynamic principles, and forensic psychology.
Jacy G. Murdock
Affiliation:
Enrolled in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA. She currently serves as the Student Representative for the Assessment Section of APA’s Division 12 (Clinical Psychology). Her research interests include personality and forensic assessment, as well as dimensional models of psychopathology.
Jules L. Merguie
Affiliation:
Gaduated from the Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, USA, and now works as a residence life coordinator in the Department of Housing and Residence Life at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, USA. Her research interests include psychometrics, assessment validity and personality disorder diagnosis.
Christopher J. Hopwood
Affiliation:
Professor of Personality Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. He conducts research on interpersonal processes, personality assessment and development, psychopathology and human–animal intergroup relations.
*
Correspondence Adam P. Natoli. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

The categorisation of personality pathology into discrete disorders has been an enduring standard. However, dimensional models of personality are becoming increasingly prominent, in part owing to their superior validity and clinical utility. We contend that dimensional models also offer a unique advantage in treating mental illness. Namely, psychotherapy approaches and the components of dimensional models of personality can both be arranged hierarchically, from general to specific factors, and aligning these hierarchies provides a sensible framework for planning and implementing treatment. This article begins with a brief review of dimensional models of personality and their supporting literature. We then outline a multidimensional framework for treatment and present an illustrative fictitious clinical case before ending with recommendations for future directions in the field.

Keywords

Mental health servicespatientspersonality disordersevidence-based mental healthpsychological treatments
Type
Article
Information
BJPsych Advances , First View , pp. 1 - 10
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

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