Clinical Utility of Dimensional Models of Personality Disorder

Current diagnostic manuals (DSM-5, ICD-11) have begun to move away from traditional personality disorders (e.g. Borderline, Antisocial, Narcissistic) and instead understand them from the perspective of functional impairment in relation to self and others coupled with description using dimensional personality trait profiles. Although research has established that dimensional operationalizations have good psychometric properties, we need to know more about clinical utility. Specifically, we need to better understand how using dimensional models improve the care of patients, how they can be better implemented into mainstream practice, reduce stigma regarding the term "personality disorder", and be generally more acceptable by affected communities. Research projects within this context can be discussed and shaped based on prospective students' specific interests.