On the road to DSM-V, instruments are demanded which provide clinically meaningful information, e.g. predictions about psychotherapy utilization. One interesting and promising personality assessment method is the Shedler-Westen-Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200) providing dimensional and prototypical assessment possibilities for personalty disorders.

The study compares the predictive power of the Shedler-Westen-Assessment Procedure-200 with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV on engagement in (psychoanalytic) psychotherapy.

297 patients with personality disorders were assessed with both instruments in a 4-year-follow-up study. Multinomial logistic regression showed small differences between the prediction rates in the cross-validated data.

Both instruments showed clinically useful prediction rates for treatment rejecters: SWAP scales led to correct predictions with dysphoric traits as semi-stable predictors for rejecters, while SCID scales led to correct predictions with Negativistic, Depressive and Schizotypal PD as stable predictors.

Results are discussed under the aspect of advantages and disadvantages of the SWAP-200 diagnostic procedure, which includes the assessment of affect-experience, defence-organisation, and object-relation-style.