A PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF THE DSM-III-R AXIS-II PERSONALITY-DISORDERS

By means of the SCID Screen questionnaire, data concerning 76 reported criteria were collected from 176 controls and 388 patients. In a prin cipal component analysis, 23 factors emerged that explained 62.7% of t he variance. After regrouping, a pattern similar to the Clusters A, B, and C could be demonstrated. However, the criteria for Borderline Per sonality Disorder scattered in all three clusters. After rearrangement according to the loadings in components 1 and 2, two clear axes could be demonstrated. One axis went from overconscientiousness and inflexi bility in one extreme, to unstable intense relationships in the other. The second axis went from avoiding social contacts in one extreme end , to uncomfortable if not in the center of attention in the other. Whe n the separate personality disorders were arranged according to factor loadings in component 1 and 2, Borderline and Narcissistic Personalit y Disorders grouped together whereas Histrionic Personality Disorder f ormed a separate group. Schizotypal, Schizoid, and Paranoid Personalit y Disorders grouped together and so did Avoidant, Obsessive-Compulsive , and Dependent Personality Disorders; Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder grouped together with the Cluster A disorders.