Five factor model of personality disorder: Integrating science and practice

The National Institute of Mental Health has been encouraging the implementation of “translational” research, or studies that integrate basic science and applied, clinical practice. A potential exemplification of this effort would be the integration of basic science research on personality structure with the psychiatric classification of personality disorders; more specifically, a five-factor model of personality disorder. Advantages of a five-factor model of personality disorder include the provision of a precise yet comprehensive description of both normal and abnormal personality functioning, the avoidance of the many limitations and problems inherent to categorical diagnoses, and the incorporation of basic science research on general personality functioning into our understanding of personality disorders. An important goal of future research will be to evaluate its potential utility in clinical practice.