Pathoplasticity refers to the mutually influencing, nonetiological relationship between psychopathology and personality. In this way, psychopathology and personality influence the expression of each other, but neither exclusively causes the other as might occur in an etiological or spectrum relationship. Pathoplasticity assumes that the expression of certain maladaptive behaviors, symptoms, and mental health disorders tend to occur in the larger context of an individual’s personality. Likewise, it is assumed that personality has the potential for influencing the content and focus of symptoms and will likely shape the responses and coping strategies individuals employ when presented with psychological and social stressors. This entry briefly reviews the interpersonal circumplex, which provides a model for examining interpersonal pathoplasticity, as well as highlights a series of steps for assessing pathoplastic ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles