Date of Award

2-1-1991

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling Psychology & Community Services

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the recently introduced (DSM-III-R) Self-defeating Personality Disorder (SDPD) at the construct level. The trait structure of the construct and possible gender biases were analyzed. For purposes of construct investigation, a model addressing certain processes of human judgment was used. This model consisted of a trait inferencing method and three parameters: (1) consensual accuracy, (2) threshold, and (3) salience. A rating instrument consisting of selected items from scales of the Basic Personality Inventory (BPI) was used. Targets representative of normal, self-defeating, dependent, and dysthymia constructs were presented to 121 male and 127 female (mean age = 19.39) students who rated the likelihood of such targets endorsing the 44 items. The 2 x 4 x 2 experimental design was completely randomized with the three analysis factors being: (1) rater gender, (2) target, and (3) target gender. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the 16 target cells. ANOVA procedures were performed upon the dependent variables of threshold and salience with rater gender, targets, and target gender as independent variables. The trait structure of the construct was investigated by means of MANOVA and discriminant analysis with BPI scales as dependent variables.A significant main effect for targets ($p$ $<$.001) was observed on the threshold parameter. On the salience parameter, significant main effects were observed for targets ($p$ $<$.001) and rater gender ($p$ $<$.05); a significant two-way interaction for rater gender by target ($p$ $<$.05) was also observed. A significant main effect MANOVA ($p$ $<$.0001) was observed. Followup discriminant analysis procedures revealed two significant functions: the first separated normal and abnormal targets and the second separated the Dependent target from the three remaining targets.Although objections to the Self-defeating construct on grounds of gender bias were not confirmed, objections based upon conceptual overlap with other constructs and lack of distinguishing features were confirmed. Implications for inclusion of such a disorder and future applications of the trait inferencing model in construct investigation are discussed.

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