Zuckerman’s personality model predicts MCMI-III personality disorders

The current study explores the relationships between the basic dimensions of the Zuckerman personality model (measured through the ZKPQ) and the 14 personality disorder scales of the millon clinical multiaxial inventory third edition (MCMI-III). The total sample comprised 673 subjects, of whom 50% were university students and 50% were subjects from the general population. Statistical analysis followed a similar methodology used by Dyce and O’Connor (1998) and O’Connor (2005). The principal component analysis showed that the five ZKPQ dimensions were associated with the personality disorder scales in different patterns. Linear regression analyses indicated that ZKPQ scales were very good predictors of the three DSM personality disorder clusters, and in particular of cluster B. Also, the global prediction power of Zuckerman’s dimensions was highly similar to that demonstrated for the NEO-PI-R in previous studies. LOESS graphical analysis showed additional information about nonlinear relationships between normal personality and personality disorders. The discussion focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of Zuckerman’s approach to account for personality disorders.