A STRUCTURED INTERVIEW FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE 5-FACTOR MODEL OF PERSONALITY

The authors report on the psychometric properties of a new semistructu red interview, the Structured Interview for the Five-Factor Model of P ersonality (SIFFM; T. J. Trull & T. A. Widiger, 1997). The SIFFM asses ses major dimensions of the five-factor model (FFM) as well as trait f acets for each dimension. Analyses of data obtained from both nonclini cal and clinical participants support the reliability and;validity of SIFFM scores. Specifically, SIFFM scores were reliable across raters, were internally consistent and relatively stable over time, and were c orrelated with scores from related measures (e.g., personality, person ality disorders). The authors discuss the need for and attractiveness of an interview-based measure of the FFM in assessing normal and dysfu nctional personality traits.