Traits Associated with Personality Disorders and Adjustment to Military Life: Predictive Validity of Self and Peer Reports

Abstract

This study demonstrated that traits and features associated with several types of personality disorders are related to work performance and the ability to conform to requirements of military life. The Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality and a peer nomination procedure were used to assess traits associated with 10 types of personality disorders in a sample of 1,080 Air Force recruits (57% male) at the end of basic military training. Correlations between self-report and peer nomination scores for each set of traits ranged from 0.24 to 0.13, indicating only modest convergence. Follow-up data, collected 2 years later, indicated that several scores from the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality and the peer nomination procedure were significantly related to early discharge from the military. Peers provide useful information that is not redundant with that provided by the individual. When possible, assessment of personality problems should be considered from information obtained from peers or other informants.