Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Dimensional Models of Personality Disorder in DSM-5 and ICD-11: Opportunities and Challenges

AbstractPurpose of ReviewChildhood trauma is an important risk factor for the development of personality disorders (PDs), yet most research has been devoted to categorical models of personality pathology. Considering the introduction of a dimensional PD model with ICD-11, we review current findings related to various forms of childhood trauma, and PDs, operationalized in the form of personality functioning and maladaptive traits. We focus on the magnitude of associations and examine specific relationships between emotional and physical trauma with areas of personality functioning and single traits.Recent FindingsTwo studies showed a strong association between childhood trauma and personality dysfunction. Seven studies, including clinical and forensic samples, demonstrated heterogeneous associations between various forms of childhood trauma and maladaptive traits. Overall, four studies indicated a slightly stronger association between personality dysfunction, maladaptive trait expression, and higher levels of emotional trauma than for physical or sexual trauma. Regarding specific trait domains and childhood trauma, most studies yielded the strongest associations for either psychoticism or detachment.SummaryResearch on childhood trauma and dimensional PD models (i.e., personality functioning and traits) has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of their complex relationship. However, high intercorrelations among different types of childhood trauma, areas of pers...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research