Schizoid Personality and the Dimensional Conceptualization of Personality Disorders According to ICD-11

Aim: Contemporary scientific research and clinical practice are increasingly incorporating dimensional models of personality disorders. This trend requires precise clarification of the relationship between traditional ways of conceptualizing disorders and new proposals based on dimensions. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between schizoid personality traits and ICD-11 diagnostic components, and to determine to what extent schizoid personality as a dimensional construct can be predicted (diagnosed) based on ICD-11 conceptualization components, such as severity of personality disorder and pathological traits. Method: The study group consisted of 176 individuals aged 18–71 years (M = 28.3, SD = 10.3, 83.5% female). Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD) was used to determine the level of pathological personality traits, and Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale (SIFS) was used to assess the level of severity of personality disorders. The Character Styles Questionnaire was used to determine the level of schizoid personality disorder. Results: The results of correlation analysis show significant relationships between schizoid personality disorder (as a dimensional construct) and scales measuring the level of severity of personality disorder (identity, self-direction, empathy, intimacy) and the level of pathological traits (except for anankastia). The results of the stepwise regression analysis show that the first stage of personality disorder assessment according to the ICD-11 model, i.e. diagnosing the level of severity of personality disorders, explains 41% of schizoid personality, and the inclusion of pathological traits (the detachment trait turned out to be important here) raises this percentage to 54. Conclusion: The results suggest a convergence between the new dimensional conceptualizations of personality disorders and previous categorical approaches and the need for future research.