A Network Analysis of Personality Traits in Adults with and Without Specific Learning Disorders

The primary aim of this study was to examine the personality profile of adults with Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) using the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) to assess maladaptive traits and explore the underlying network structure of these traits in comparison to healthy individuals. The sample included 181 adults with SLDs (mean age = 27.37 ± 6.82; 39.21% female) and 227 healthy adults (mean age = 30.08 ± 7.49; 35.36% female). All participants completed the PID-5 and a socio-demographic checklist. Group differences in PID-5 scores were analyzed using independent-sample t-tests. Network analysis, including the Network Comparison Test (NCT) and centrality assessments, was conducted to examine overall network organization and identify key traits within the maladaptive trait networks. The results showed that adults with SLDs had significantly higher scores in detachment (43.99 ± 22.70 vs. 32.27 ± 17.53, p < 0.05) and negative affectivity (111.97 ± 35.06 vs. 87.26 ± 40.58, p < 0.05) compared to healthy controls. Their personality trait network was more densely connected, with a global strength of 44.95, compared to 36.22 in the control group (p < 0.01). Key traits in the SLD network included suspiciousness (betweenness = 2.116, closeness = 2.286, strength = 1.266), anhedonia (betweenness = 2.240), and eccentricity (strength = 2.146, betweenness = 1.498), indicating stronger interactions among maladaptive traits. A particularly strong connection (edge weight = 0.4059) was observed between withdrawal and anhedonia. In contrast, the control group's network was more balanced, with the most dominant node (N5) exhibiting a strength of 2.1859 and betweenness of 3.5000. These findings highlight distinct personality patterns in individuals with SLDs, underscoring the need for tailored clinical interventions.