Self-other knowledge asymmetries in personality pathology.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Self-reports of personality provide valid information about personality disorders (PDs). However, informant reports provide information about PDs that self-reports alone do not provide. The current article examines whether and when one perspective is more valid than the other in identifying PDs. METHOD: Using a representative sample of adults 55 to 65 years of age (N = 991; 45% males), we compared the validity of self- and informant (e.g., spouse, family, or friend) reports of the Five-Factor Model traits in predicting PD scores (i.e., composite of interviewer, self-, and informant reports of PDs). RESULTS: Self-reports (particularly of Neuroticism) were more valid than informant ..