Aim. The dimensional approach to personality disorder opens up the possibility to investigate adolescence as a significant period for the development of personality pathology. Criterion A defined as (dys)function in the self- and interpersonal domains is considered to be more sensitive to capture the developmental processes of adolescence underlying or interfering the way toward personality disorder. This study takes the prospective developmental approach to investigate whether the quality of relationships in adolescents' social network, among other factors, is potential to predict one-year change in personality (dys)functioning (PF).
Method. A community-based sample of 855 adolescents aged 11-18 (M = 14.44, SD = 1.60; 62.5% female) was assessed at baseline (T1) and one year later (T2); 94% retention rate. Criterion A was repeatedly assessed by self-report: Levels of personality functioning questionnaire 12-18 (LoPFQ 12-18; higher scores indicate more impaired PF). Potential predictors such as psychopathological symptoms, maladaptive traits, childhood adversity as well as adolescents’ relationship quality were assessed at baseline.
Results. In the total sample, the mean-level change (decline) in PF scores over one-year was not statistically significant. Older age was linked with decrease in PF scores. To determine the degree to which the mean-level changes held for each participant, we calculated the Reliable Change criterion and classified the sample into three groups distinguishing those with decreasing, stable or increasing level of personality dysfunction from T1 to T2. Stability and increase in personality dysfunction were associated with higher levels of psychopathology, childhood adversity, maladaptive personality traits, also factors in the interpersonal domain: social rebuff from peers, lower closeness with parents.
Conclusion. Findings contribute to the literature on the factors encompassing adolescents’ social relationships as potentially interacting with early personality (dys)functioning, along general risk factors. Results address the problem of developmental timing of risk in development of personality disorder.
The study was funded by Research Council of Lithuania (No S-MIP-21-20)
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