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The classification of disturbed personality functioning in early adolescence
M Korenblum1, H Golombek, P Marton
1Adolescent Investigation Unit, C.M. Hincks Treatment Centre, Toronto, Ontario.
Summary
Nearly half of 13-year-olds show disturbed personality functioning, with patterns resembling internalizing or externalizing behaviors. This study classified personality dysfunction in a non-clinical adolescent sample using DSM-III guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
Background:
- Disturbed personality functioning can emerge in early adolescence.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for developmental trajectories.
- Previous research has not extensively detailed personality dysfunction in non-clinical early adolescent samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and classify personality functioning disturbances in a non-clinical sample of early adolescents.
- To investigate the relationship between personality functioning competence and development.
- To determine if DSM-III Axis II criteria can be applied to classify personality dysfunction in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 63 thirteen-year-olds.
- Semi-structured psychiatric interviews were conducted.
- Two psychiatrists rated personality functioning and classified disturbances using DSM-III Axis II as a guideline.
Main Results:
- 46% of the sample exhibited some degree of disturbed personality functioning.
- Commonly observed patterns included avoidant, dependent, compulsive, passive-aggressive, and antisocial tendencies.
- Disturbed personality functioning clustered into "quiet" (internalizing) and "acting out" (externalizing) groups, though the "quiet" group was indistinguishable from healthy peers by parents and teachers.
Conclusions:
- It is feasible to classify personality dysfunction in non-clinical early adolescents using DSM-III Axis II.
- Adolescent personality dysfunction is not a homogeneous entity, presenting as internalizing or externalizing clusters.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these early patterns.