Dependent personality traits and information processing: assessing the interpretation of ambiguous information using the Thematic Apperception Test.

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate interpretation bias in people with dependent personality traits.

METHOD: Eight Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) cards were administered to participants (N=56) who scored high or low on DSM-III-R dependent personality pathology. Two independent judges rated the TAT stories using a rating list based on the cognitive model of the dependent and paranoid personality disorder.

RESULTS

Controlling for self-esteem, the dependent interpretation bias appeared to be specific for dependent personality pathology. SEM analysis supported a mediation model in which beliefs mediate the relationship between DSM-III-R traits and interpretation bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study support the hypothesis that people with dependent traits are characterized by a schema-related interpretation bias and that this bias is mediated by dependent beliefs.