Self-Reported Levels of Personality Functioning from the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD) System and Emotional Intelligence Likely Assess the Same Latent Construct

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that structural integration, as assessed in the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD) system, and emotional intelligence (EI), as studied in personality psychology, might be closely related constructs at a general level, as both might assess general personality functioning. In three studies (n₁ = 166, n₂ = 204, n₃ = 349), we used a self-report measure of OPD structural integration and measures of Trait and Ability EI. Structural integration and Trait EI display very high correlation at general factor level (r = .77 - .82) and almost perfect latent correlation (r = .85 - .90). This correlation cannot be explained away by the general positivity of self-views or socially desirable responding. There is also substantial latent correlation between structural integration and Ability EI (r = .20 - .65). Results replicate over different samples from different countries and extend to the DSM-5 self-report personality functioning scale.

Figure 1

Latent variable structural equation models for investigating the relationship between general factors of structural integration and Trait Emotional Intelligence (Study 1) at zero order (model A: correlation model, left) and controlling for self-esteem (model A’: regression model, right). For ease of Interpretation, OPD-SQ scores were reversed so that higher scores indicate higher structural integration. OPD-SQ = Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis – Structure Questionnaire, TEIQUE = Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, SE = self-esteem. Error terms are not displayed. Loadings of indicator variables are not displayed in model A’ as they equal those of model A.

Figure 2

Latent associations of structural integration and personality functioning with Trait Emotional Intelligence and Ability Emotional Intelligence (Study 3). For ease of Interpretation, OPD-SQ and LPFS-SR scores were reversed so that higher scores indicate higher structural Integration / personality functioning. OPD-SQ = Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis – Structure Questionnaire, LPFS-SR = Level of Personality Functioning Scale – Self-Report, TEIQUE = Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, STEM = Situational Test of Emotion Management. Error terms are not displayed.