Corresponding Author Information: Leah Emery
Session Abstract: Background and purpose: Evidence suggests that some traits might be better predicted by informant-report, and some by self-report. How well different sources predict traits partially stems from the trait's characteristics: observability and evaluativeness. However, these characteristics have only been assessed in undergraduates and never in maladaptive traits. This may explain the mixed results of a study examining which source better predicts personality disorders (PDs). This project is a two-part study: Study 1 will compare observability and evaluativeness of normal and maladaptive traits across undergraduate and community samples. Study 2 will use these observed trait characteristics to make and test predictions about which source better predicts PDs.
Subjects: Study 1) Data collection is underway for 200 undergraduates through an undergraduate research pool, and 200 participants from the United States through Prolific.
Study 2) Two previously collected samples: 215 target participants and 85 informant participants recruited from mental health clinics; and 670 undergraduates.
Methods and materials: Study 1) Participants will be asked to rate the evaluativeness and observability of 216 pathological trait items from the CAT-PD-SF and 44 normal trait items from the BFI.
Study 2) Clinical participants completed the CAT-PD, PID-5, and SCID-II interviews. Undergraduate participants completed the CAT-PD, an AMPD criterion A measure, and an AMPD trait prototype measure.
Analyses: Study 1) Mixed ANOVAs will be conducted to assess if observability or evaluativeness vary by sample (undergraduate vs community adult), or by normal and pathological range. Facets within each domain will also be compared.
Study 2) Informant- and self-reports of various traits will be entered into hierarchical regressions predicting relevant PDs.
Conclusions: Taken together, these two studies have the potential to inform which report source is more informative of different traits, and why. These findings should then inform how different sources might be utilized in the assessment of personality disorders.
Presenters:
Leah Emery | SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo NY
Leonard Simms | SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo NY