Influence of Childhood Maltreatment on Schizoid Personality Pathology

Schizoid personality disorder (SPD) is among the most enduring forms of personality pathology. Research suggests that one factor associated with schizoid pathology is childhood maltreatment, although it is unclear which specific experiences of childhood maltreatment may be most impactful. In this study, we examined associations between different experiences of childhood maltreatment (e.g. physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect) and schizoid pathology in a sample of men and women recruited online (N = 327) using a Bayesian approach to structural equation modeling. Results suggest that emotional neglect had the strongest association with schizoid pathology over and above other forms of maltreatment and other traumatic life events. Findings further indicate that emotional and physical neglect as well as other negative life events are associated with schizoid pathology in men but only emotional abuse is associated with schizoid pathology for women. These findings provide support for the influence of childhood maltreatment on schizoid pathology and have implications for future research and clinical intervention.