Differential Personality Inventory – Form L (DPI)
Measures 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 Risk: 0 – 1
- High Risk: 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.