Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture

Psychological analysis of the representation of personality disorders in cinema: A Systematic review

Articles in Press

Document Type : .

Authors

Seyfollah Aghajani 1
sima Rasouli 2

1 2. Prof, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

2 Ph.D. Student, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

10.30465/ismc.2025.52583.2975
Abstract
The psychological analysis of cinema characters, particularly those with personality disorders, as an interdisciplinary approach in psychology and media studies, can lead to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and psyche. This study aimed to examine personality disorders in the main characters of selected films and analyze them based on DSM-5. The research was conducted using a systematic review method by searching databases such as Jihad Daneshgahi, Magiran, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer, and Google Scholar. Indexed articles from 2009 to 2025 (1395 to 1404 SH) were reviewed. The findings showed that many cinematic works, by accurately portraying behavioral, emotional, and cognitive traits of characters with personality disorders, provide an effective platform for indirect education in psychopathology. Such portrayals not only enhance psychological awareness among audiences but also contribute to the advancement of interdisciplinary approaches and foster deeper scientific interaction between the fields of psychology and cinema studies.

Keywords

Cinema
Character
Film Psychology
Mental Disorders in Cinema
Personality Disorders
Psychological Representation
Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 December 2025

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