The Role of Metacognitive Processes in Personality Traits: A Dimensional Perspective Based on the DSM-5 Alternative Model.

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the relationships between maladaptive personality traits, as conceptualized within the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD), and metacognitive processes in a non-clinical adult sample.

Methods: The sample consisted of 275 adults aged 18-65 years recruited from non-psychiatric outpatient clinics. Participants completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5, the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30, the Metacognitive Strategies subscale of the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome-1 questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine associations between variables, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between metacognitive factors and personality traits while accounting for depression and anxiety symptoms.

Results: Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between maladaptive personality traits and metacognitive variables, with distinct patterns observed across different personality dimensions. Regression analyses showed that several metacognitive factors remained significantly related to specific personality traits after controlling for depression and anxiety. In particular, the Need to Control Thoughts was associated with Antagonism, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism, whereas beliefs regarding the uncontrollability and danger of worry and metacognitive coping strategies were related to Negative Affectivity. Metacognitive factors showed limited associations with Detachment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that metacognitive processes are meaningfully related to maladaptive personality traits and that these associations extend beyond general emotional distress. Metacognitive characteristics, particularly those involving attempts to regulate and control internal experiences, may represent relevant processes for understanding personality-related difficulties.