The Work Group recommends that this disorder be represented and diagnosed by a combination of core impairment in personality functioning and specific pathological personality traits, rather than as a specific type.

DSM-IV Research Criteria for passive-aggressive personality disorder

A. A pervasive pattern of negative attitudes and passive resistence to demands for adequate performance, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

    1) Passively resists fulfilling routine social and occupational tasks

    2) Complains of being misunderstood and unappreciated by others

    3) Is sullen and argumentative

    4) Unreasonably criticizes and scorns authority

    5) Expresses envy and resentment toward those apparently more fortunate

   6) Voices exaggerated and persistent complaints of personal misfortune.

   7) Alternates between hostile defiance and contrition

B. Does not occur exclusively during Major Depressive Episodes and is not better accounted for by Dysthymic Disorder.