THE PSYCHODIAGNOSTIC CHART AS A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING PERSONALITY ORGANIZATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING.

Personality organization is an essential concept in understanding human identity, psychological functioning, and mental health. Personality functioning exists along a continuum ranging from healthy and adaptive organization to pathological patterns characterized by rigidity, maladaptive defenses, and difficulties in psychological adjustment. This study examines the Psychodiagnostic Chart (PDC-2), particularly its adult version (PDC-2 Adult), as a conceptual and screening instrument for assessing personality organization and psychological functioning. Grounded in the framework of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, Second Edition (PDM-2), the instrument adopts both categorical and dimensional approaches to evaluate personality functioning across a scale ranging from severe impairment to healthy personality organization. Unlike traditional diagnostic systems that primarily emphasize symptom classification, the psychodynamic approach provides a broader understanding of personality structure, mental functioning, defensive mechanisms, and individuals' subjective experiences. The study also highlights the relevance of psychodynamic assessment tools within contemporary psychological practice, particularly in the Western Balkans and Italy, where the integration of psychoanalytic perspectives into clinical assessment remains an area requiring further development. Furthermore, it addresses the limited availability and application of scientifically grounded psychodynamic assessment instruments compared with tools developed within other therapeutic approaches. The study emphasizes the potential contribution of the PDC-2 Adult to clinical screening, personality assessment, and the identification of psychological functioning patterns. It concludes that the Psychodiagnostic Chart offers a valuable framework for advancing comprehensive personality assessment and promoting a deeper understanding of mental health beyond symptom-based diagnostic classifications.