Psychometric properties of the German version of the NEO-FFI in psychosomatic outpatients

The five factor model of personality has received widespread attention during the last years. The NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess the dimensions of the five-factor model. The psychometric properties of the German version of the NEO-FFI were studied on a large sample of psychosomatic outpatients (n=950). Internal consistencies and intercorrelations, were in line with results reported in other studies. Concurrent validity, evaluated by studying the relationship between NEO-FFI dimensions and Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) subscales, was high. Confirmatory factor analysis failed to support the original five-factor model and two subsequent models. Logistic regression analysis showed that the dimensions Neuroticism and Conscientiousness discriminated between patients with personality disorders and those with other mental disorders. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.