How Does Personality Function Scale Work?

The Levels of Personality Function Scale is a five-point rating scale for two domains of personality functioning—"self" and "interpersonal." The following definitions offer the ideal or normal expression of these two domains against which patients would be rated and compared:

• Self

  Identity: Experience of oneself as unique, with clear boundaries between self and others; stability of self-esteem and accuracy of self-appraisal; capacity for, and ability to regulate, a range of emotional experience.

  Self-direction: Pursuit of coherent and meaningful short-term and life goals; utilization of constructive and prosocial internal standards of behavior; ability to self-reflect productively.

• Interpersonal

  Empathy: Comprehension and appreciation of others' experiences and motivations; tolerance of differing perspectives; understanding of the effects of own behavior on others.

  Intimacy: Depth and duration of positive connections with others; desire and capacity for closeness, mutuality of regard reflected in interpersonal behavior.

A more complete description of the rating scale, with descriptors for each of the five ratings, is posted at <www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=468>.