Proposal for an HiTOP-based evaluation scale of traits of the paranoid personality disorder

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study aimed to operationalize a version of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2) for the screening of typical traits of the Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) from the perspective of the HiTOP, as well as investigate its internal and external validity. Material and methods: We selected IDCP-2 factors that appropriately represented PPD traits according to the HiTOP. We created new items for the Rudeness factor. The participants were 454 Brazilian adults (aged 18-70 years). We administered the following scales: IDCP-PPD, PID-5, and CAT-PD-SV. Results: We found a one higher-order factor structure for the IDCP-PPD. The factors that composed this higher- order factor reflect traits from both HiTOP spectra witch PPD is represented, Thought disorder and Antagonistic externalizing. The expected correlations between IDCP-PPD factors and external measures were observed. Groups comparison indicated people with high levels of pathological traits in the external measures showing higher means in the IDCP-PPD scores in comparison to people with lower means in these measures. Discussion: The factors of the IDCP-PPD demonstrated a good capacity for the assessment of PPD traits. Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate the IDCP-PPD scale as a useful tool for operationalizing Hi- TOP for clinical practice. Future studies should test our findings in patients with a PPD diagnosis.