RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE 5-FACTOR MODEL OF PERSONALITY AND AXIS-I DISORDERS IN A NONCLINICAL SAMPLE

The relationship between the five-factor model (FFM) of personality an d Axis I disorders was evaluated in a nonclinical sample of 468 young adults. In general, scores on the 5 personality dimensions of neurotic ism. extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscien tiousness (assessed via the NEO Five-Factor Inventory) distinguished s ubjects with and without a variety of Axis I diagnoses from the revise d third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis orders. In several instances, results indicate that scores on these di mensions were differentially sensitive to diagnosis. Furthermore, scor es on these 5 personality dimensions accounted for unique variance in several Axis I diagnoses above and beyond that accounted for by a gene ral measure of current psychopathological symptoms. These results supp ort the utility of the FFM of personality in Axis I diagnostic assessm ent.