An Examination of Dependent Personality Disorder in the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders

Although the diagnosis of dependent personality disorder (DPD) has demonstrated construct validity and clinical utility, little is known about how best to model DPD in the DSM-5’s new, alternative model for diagnosing personality disorders. The current research aimed to represent DPD using the 25 pathological personality traits of the alternative model. Self-report measures of the 25 pathological personality traits, DPD, avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and maladaptive interpersonal dependency were administered to an undergraduate sample (N = 194). Results indicated that— as consistent with extant theory— anxiousness, submissiveness, and separation insecurity were the three traits most strongly related to DPD symptoms. As a group, anxiousness, submissiveness, and separation insecurity were more strongly related to DPD symptoms (r = 0.55) than were the remaining 22 personality traits (r = 0.34). This group of three traits was strongly associated, however, with avoidant personality disorder symptoms (r = 0.55), suggesting that additional scrutiny of DPD and avoidant personality disorder in the alternative model may be needed. Limitations and directions for future research are presented.