Investigating personality structure in adolescence

Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage in which the need to upgrade and integrate personality aspects such as identity integration, interpersonal relations, and a!ect regulation emerges. This contribution aims at presenting a new self-report screening tool for personality structure pathology, the Adolescence Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q; Study I); this instrument assesses personality pathology within an object relations model of personality development. Moreover, we aim at investigating the relationship between personality functioning and Non-Suicidal Self Injury in adolescence (Study II). Study I - A pilot version of the APS-Q was tested in a sample of adolescents (N=907,age 13-21) to investigate factorial structure (112 item). Convergent validity was tested on a sub-sample (N=601, age 13-19), accounting for maladaptive personality traits, severity of personality functioning and clinical symptoms, as well as re-test validity (1 month) (N=451, age 13-19). Study II - A sample of 250 adolescents (age 12-19) completed the APS-Q and a self-report on NSSI behaviours. A 10 dimensions’ factor structure emerged: Identity (stability of self-image, mentalization, self- acceptance), object relations (family, peers), sexuality, aggression, risky behaviors, and investments (stability, satisfaction). These dimensions showed a good convergent validity in terms of associations with maladaptive traits, severity of personality functioning and clinical symptoms and good re-test validity. The personality structure profile of adolescents with NSSI, compared to those who did not report such behaviors, was significantly more severe in terms of identity (stability of self-image, mentalization), object relations (family), aggression, and investments (satisfaction). Furthermore, several relations between personality dimensions and NSSI functions (intrapersonal and interpersonal) were found. Preliminary data suggest a factor structure for the APS-Q that is coherent with the object relations model of personality pathology. Consistent with previous research, severity of personality functioning in adolescence is significantly related to NSSI behaviors. Moreover, personality dimensions might play a role in understanding intrapersonal and interpersonal motivations of NSSI