Getting the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 ready for clinical practice: Norm values and correlates in a representative sample from the German population

BackgroundThe Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is the gold-standard self-report tool to assess personality pathology according to five maladaptive trait domains (Criterion B) and may also be used to estimate the severity of personality problems (Criterion A). Previous research incorporating the PID-5 has often been limited by sample selection biases and relatively arbitrarily set cut-off values. Thus, our aim was to establish norm values and scrutinize the nomological net of the PID-5 Brief Form Plus (PID5BF+) using a representative sample from the general population.MethodsWe used data (N=4,727) from the ongoing GESIS panel, which includes a representative German sample. Participants completed the PID5BF+ and various measures of psychological functioning. Descriptive norms based on the cumulative percentile distributions and model-based norms for different versions of the PID-5 based on multiple group graded response models were determined. Moreover, the nomological net of PID5BF+ scales was examined using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.ResultsWe established representative norm values for each of the five PID5BF+ domains and the total score, and present model-based norms for four different PID-5 versions. Results confirmed that self-reported personality pathology was associated with lower socio-economic status and greater psychological disturbances.ConclusionOur empirically-based representative norm values of the PID5BF+ provide a reference framework for practitioners and researchers to evaluate and interpret the PID-5. Moreover, we highlight the relevance of personality pathology not only in clinical settings but also for wider societal functioning and public mental health.