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.