Cited by 78Personality Disorders and PsychopathologyPersonality Traits and PsychologyMental Health Research Topics

Developmental Trajectories of Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescence

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Wright, Aidan G. C., Zalewski, Maureen, Hallquist, Michael N., Hipwell, Alison E., Stepp, Stephanie D.·2016·Journal of Personality Disorders

Abstract

In recent years, major gains toward understanding the emergence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) pathology, which is typically first noted during adolescence, have been made. Simultaneously, a profound shift has occurred in the adult personality pathology literature, in which empirical evidence rebuts the idea that personality disorders (PDs) are intractable disorders that do not develop or otherwise change over time, and therefore cannot be treated. The present study addresses a gap in our understanding of within-person change in BPD symptoms across adolescence and contributes to the limited literature on outcomes associated with adolescent BPD. Using an at-risk community sample of girls (N = 2,450), the authors used bivariate latent growth curve models to analyze the codevelopment of BPD symptoms with eight domains of psychosocial functioning (e.g., academic achievement, social skills, sexual behavior) across ages 14-17. Findings revealed moderate to strong effect sizes for the associations between BPD symptoms and every domain of psychosocial functioning, suggesting that the development of BPD was coupled with poorer outcomes across development. Controlling for depression and conduct disorder features revealed unique associations between BPD and self-perception, social skills, and sexual behavior. These results highlight the increased need for extending advancements in the adult PD literature to research on PDs in adolescence, and for greater recognition of adolescent BPD in clinical settings.

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Crossref · 10.1521/pedi_2015_29_200

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  • Adult BPD typically is a chronic condition, characterized by patterns of remission and relapse at PD symptom level, but with more pervasive and persistent disabilities in psychosocial functioning.

    “Longitudinal data suggest that adult BPD typically is a chronic condition, characterized by patterns of remission and relapse at PD symptom level, but with more pervasive and persistent disabilities in psychosocial functioning [4, 5].”

    From The (cost-)effectiveness of early intervention (MBT-early) versus standard protocolized treatment (CBT) for emerging borderline personality disorder in adolescents (the EARLY study): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [4]

    The “Individual variability in personality pathology” section says adult BPD symptom severity fluctuates, and “Personality pathology and psychosocial functioning” reports that impairment can persist after symptoms remit. But the latter limits enduring consequences to at least some individuals, while the Discussion says personality pathology is not inherently enduring. The copy therefore does not support describing adult BPD as typically chronic. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Authors
Wright, A. G. C., Zalewski, M., Hallquist, M. N., Hipwell, A. E., & Stepp, S. D.
Affiliations
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • University of Oregon (US)
Venue
Journal of Personality Disorders
Published
2016-06
Volume
30
Issue
3
Pages
351-372
ISSN
0885-579X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2181018179
Cited by
78
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3
FWCI
8.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Personality Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (F32MH097325, L30-MH101760, L30 MH101859, K01MH097091, K01MH086713, R01MH056630)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA012237)
  • National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01MD012273)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
borderline personality disorder, adolescence, developmental trajectories, psychosocial functioning, within-person change, at-risk girls, social skills, sexual behavior, self-perception, academic performance, depression, conduct disorder
MeSH terms
Achievement, Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Borderline Personality Disorder, Female, Humans, Sexual Behavior, Adolescent Development, Social Skills

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