Variations in maladaptive personality patterns and depressive symptoms’ severity across personality functioning profiles in a community sample

Dimensional models of personality disorders, such as those proposed in the ICD-11 and the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) in the DSM-5, emphasize personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits, moving beyond the traditional categorical approach to personality disorders. Personality dysfunctions can co-occur with depressive symptoms; however, this relationship has been relatively understudied in the context of these dimensional frameworks.The purpose of the present study was to explore the heterogeneity of personality functioning profiles, including coexisting maladaptive traits and levels of depressive symptoms, in a community sample. The research sample was representative of the Polish adult population aged 18–65, comprising 1,030 participants (541 females, 489 males; Mage = 42.39, SDage = 13.06). Data were collected via a survey administered through a research panel. We employed a two-step cluster analysis to examine patterns of psychopathological heterogeneity, followed by Kruskal–Wallis tests to explore differences between clusters. Personality functioning impairments clustered into groups that differed in the dysfunction severity. Specifically, we identified three groups corresponding to low, average, and high levels of self- and interpersonal impairment. As the level of impairment increased, additional subclusters emerged, exhibiting more diverse patterns of maladaptive personality domains. Furthermore, higher levels of personality pathology were associated with significantly greater severity of depressive symptoms. We discuss potential explanations for these findings and their implications for both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions in individuals presenting with personality disorders and depressive symptoms.