Spanish version of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+)

Abstract

Introduction. The Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire is one of the most frequently used instruments for diagnosing personality disorders (PD). Its last version (PDQ4+) combines the easy applicability of a questionnaire with the control of state symptoms interference of an interview. The aim of this paper is to present preliminary results on the Spanish version of the PDQ-4+.

Method. 159 psychiatric outpatients were assessed using the questionnaire of PDQ-4+. Among them, a sample of 47 were also evaluated using the short interview of clinical significance that completed the PDQ-4+.

Results. Results obtained were very similar to that from previous research, indicating similar psychometric properties of the PDQ-4+ Spanish version, to English, Italian, Chinese and Norway versions. In general, the internal consistency was acceptable; the obsessivecompulsive PD scale showing the lowest Cronbach’s alpha. The high prevalence of PD obtained with the PDQ-4+ questionnaire was dramatically reduced when the clinical significance scale was added. These results are in more agreement with previous epidemiological studies.

Discussion. Overall, the PDQ-4+ questionnaire seems a good screening instrument in clinical use. Best results are obtained when the clinical significance scale is also administered.