The network structure of personality functioning and maladaptive traits in adolescents

Despite evidence for the onset of personality disorder (PD) during adolescence, few studies have examined the internal structure of the alternative model for PDs in youth. Network analysis offers a valuable alternative to factor analytic approaches by modeling the unique associations among observed indicators, allowing for identification of central features within the network of personality pathology. This preregistered, cross-sectional study used network analysis to examine links between maladaptive personality trait domains and level of personality functioning (LPF) in adolescents to identify structurally central features of adolescent PD symptomatology. A sample of 1,441 adolescents (n = 1,174 community; n = 267 clinical) completed measures of LPF (Criterion A) and maladaptive traits (Criterion B). Network analyses were conducted separately in each sample, followed by a formal network comparison test. Both networks were densely connected and demonstrated high accuracy and stability. Centrality analyses indicated that LPF domains and subdomains yielded the highest strength centrality. Network structure and global connectivity were largely invariant across the clinical and community samples. Small differences in network structure were observed between boys and girls, and between early and late adolescents, though only at the LPF subdomain level. Findings underscore the central structural role of self and interpersonal functioning (i.e., LPF) within adolescent personality pathology networks, supporting its relevance as a potential organizing framework for understanding maladaptive personality traits. The similarity in network structure across community and clinical samples further reinforces the dimensional nature of PD in adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).