The latent structure of psychodynamic and psychological personality models: Conjoint investigation of OPD-CQ, OPD-SQS and BFI-2

Abstract

Objectives: Meanwhile, psychodynamic self-report questionnaires for the assessment of structure and conflict as aspects of personality have been developed. References to the psychological Big Five model, which is becoming more important due to the ongoing paradigm shift in the medical classification systems of personality disorders, are still unclear. Methods: The hierarchical factor structure of the psychodynamic scales of the OPD Conflict Questionnaire (OPD-CQ) and the short version of the OPD Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQS) as well as the psychological scales of the Big Five Inventory 2 (BFI-2) was investigated. The study was based on a representative sample of the German working population considering gender, age and place of residence (N = 545). Results: Factor analysis suggested the seven factors Negative Emotionality, Extraversion, Structural Impairment, Conscientiousness, Openness, Dissociality and Oedipal Conflict (explained variance = 56.84 %). Overlaps between psychodynamic and psychological scales were found with regard to Negative Emotionality, Extraversion and Agreeableness. Psychodynamic scales did not cover Conscientiousness and Openness, while the level of personality functioning and the role of sexuality were not covered by psychological scales. Discussion: The study provides important information regarding the relationship between psychodynamic concepts and the Big Five.