Dimensional classification for DSM-5 personality disorders in 'Rachel getting married' (2009): a media content analysis with teaching purposes. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guimarães, Fernanda Severo; Ramos, Laura Dip; Guerra de Andrade, Arthur; Castaldelli-Maia, João Mauricio
• Is Part Of: International journal of culture and mental health. Volume 9:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: movies -- cinema -- personality -- DSM-5 -- Big Five model; Cultural psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry, Transcultural -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/17542863.2016.1171367
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-2863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Films could be valuable tools in the pursuit of a more consistent learning in Psychiatry for health students and professionals. This study aimed to explore the features found in Kym's character in the movie ' Rachel getting married '. We used media content analysis in a structured manner to identify the dimensional classification (the 'Big Five' model) of the DSM-5 for personality disorder criteria as portrayed by the main protagonist of the movie. We studied her behavior and attitudes in the context of the film structure and storyline. Throughout the movie, Kym reveals several of the criteria described in the DSM-5 for personality disorders, with emphasis in the domains of antagonism and negative affectivity, depicted in eight and five of the selected scenes, respectively. Amidst this complex family context, Kym's personality traits often get mixed with psychopathological elements. Still, Kym appears in four scenes exhibiting distancing traits; she displays loss of inhibition in one other scene. In three of the selected scenes, three different domains coexist showing that, as well as in clinical practice, it is hard to diagnose a person with only one personality disorder. Therefore, we consider that the film ' Rachel getting married ' can be an important educational tool.