Temperament and Maltreatment in the Emergence of Borderline and Antisocial Personality Pathology during Early Adolescence.

OBJECTIVE

The present study utilized a prospective, longitudinal design to examine the role of temperament and maltreatment in predicting the emergence of borderline (BPD) and antisocial (ASPD) personality disorder symptoms during adolescence.

METHOD

Two hundred and forty-five children aged between 11 and 13 years were recruited from primary schools in Melbourne, Australia. Participants completed temperament, maltreatment, BPD and ASPD symptom measures, and approximately two years later, 206 participants were again assessed for BPD and ASPD symptoms.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that childhood neglect is a significant predictor of an increase in BPD symptoms, while childhood abuse is a significant predictor of an increase in ASPD symptoms. Moreover, abuse and neglect acted as moderators of the relationship between temperament dimensions and increase in BPD and ASPD symptoms, respectively. Abuse was associated with an increase in BPD symptoms for children with low Affiliation, while neglect was associated with an increase in ASPD symptoms for children with low Effortful Control.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study contributes much needed prospective, longitudinal information on the early development of symptoms of BPD and ASPD, and supports importance of both temperamental and environmental factors in predicting the emergence of these mental health problems early in life.