Dimensional assessment of normal and abnormal personality in adults of the general population: Comparison of “five” and “alternative five” personality models

This study was designed with the aim to compare the predictive power of the five-factor and the alternative five-factor personality models in relation to dimensional pathological personality in a sample of 650 adult subjects from the general population. ZKPQ-50-CC dimensions predicted 32% (ranging from 10% to 51%) and NEO-FFI-R 40% (ranging from 31% to 58%) of the total variance of the DAPP-90 factors. Local regression (LOESS) graphical analysis showed that the ZKPQ-50-CC Neuroticism-Anxiety and Aggressiveness were the best predictors for Dissocial Behavior. Neuroticism-Anxiety and low Socialization predicted Social Avoidance, Activity predicted Compulsiveness and Neuroticism-Anxiety and Aggressiveness predicted Emotional Dysregulation. While the NEO-FFI-R Extraversion, low Agreeableness and Conscientiousness predicted Dissocial Behavior. Neuroticism and low Extraversion predicted Social Avoidance, Conscientiousness predicted Compulsiveness and Neuroticism, low scores of Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness predicted Emotional Dysregulation. The predictive power of both personality models with respect to the abnormal personality dimensions was similar, but the NEO-FFI-R was the best predictor of Compulsiveness (31% vs 10%). Results suggest the existence of a structural continuum between normal and non-normal personality.