SNAP trait profiles as valid indicators of personality pathology in a non-clinical sample

This study investigated whether profiles of traits included in the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP; Clark, 1993) model of personality were valid indicators of different personality pathologies in a non-clinical sample. We obtained self-reports of SNAP traits for 117 university students and self- and informant-reports of normal personality traits. SNAP trait profiles representing Borderline, Schizotypal, Avoidant, and Obsessive–Compulsive personality characteristics predictably related to normal traits that are considered most relevant to each respective personality pathology. Exploratory analyses showed that relationships among normal traits differed across groups of individuals with different levels of personality pathology. These findings suggest that SNAP profile scales have validity for representing specific personality pathologies on a continuum, and that the configuration of normal traits may be relevant to personality pathology.