Differential Personality Inventory – Form L (DPI)
An inventory designed to measure personality traits indicative of psychopathology.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Differential Personality Inventory – Form L (DPI) was developed by Douglas N. Jackson & Samuel Messick (1962). It is designed to measure Psychopathology. The scale is intended for use with Adulthood (18 years and older).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 3 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Cynicism, Depression, Familial Discord.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Cynicism | 1 | 1 |
| Depression | 2 | 1 |
| Familial Discord | 3 | 1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous True/False format.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 3. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low: 0 – 1
- High: 2 – 3
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 1 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.