Objectives. Adolescence is a crucial phase for the development and consolidation of personality, as youths face critical psychological changes in the perception of their self in relations with family members and peers, as well as with evolving romantic and sexual relations. Significant deviations in personality structuring can result in the emergence of pathological personality features. In this contribution, we investigated the relationship between emerging personality structure in adolescence and borderline and narcissistic personality aspects. Specifically, we aimed at underlining which dimensions of emerging personality structure were related to borderline and narcissistic characteristics. Methods. A community sample of 709 adolescents (age 13-19) was tested for personality dimensions (Self, Self-acceptance, Relationship with Family and Friends, Aggression, Sexuality, Investments and goals) using the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q) and for borderline (Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children – BPFSC-11) and narcissistic features (Pathological Narcissism Inventory – PNI). Results. Data suggest significant associations between specific personality dimensions and pathological personality features. In particular, results showed strong associations between borderline features and impairments in self and interpersonal related personality dimensions as well as with difficulties in aggression regulation. Likewise, data indicated significant relations between vulnerable narcissistic features and self-related aspects of personality. Finally, results showed impairments in Self, Self-acceptance dimensions, difficulties in aggression regulation and sexuality, related to more severe grandiose narcissistic characteristics. Discussions. These preliminary data suggest that impairments in specific dimensions of emerging personality structure in adolescence might be related explicitly to borderline and narcissistic features. In particular, both emerging identity and the ability to regulate aggression might play an essential role in this relationship. Also, identifying crucial impaired dimensions of emerging personality structure might benefit clinical purposes and practice.
Benzi, I., Preti, E., Clarkin, J., Madeddu, F., Di Pierro, R. (2018). Emerging personality structure in adolescence: associations with borderline and narcissistic features. Intervento presentato a: 5th International Congress on Borderline Personality Disorder and Allied Disorders, Sitges/Barcelona, Spain.
Emerging personality structure in adolescence: associations with borderline and narcissistic features
Benzi, IMA;Preti, E;Madeddu, F;Di Pierro, R
2018
Abstract
Objectives. Adolescence is a crucial phase for the development and consolidation of personality, as youths face critical psychological changes in the perception of their self in relations with family members and peers, as well as with evolving romantic and sexual relations. Significant deviations in personality structuring can result in the emergence of pathological personality features. In this contribution, we investigated the relationship between emerging personality structure in adolescence and borderline and narcissistic personality aspects. Specifically, we aimed at underlining which dimensions of emerging personality structure were related to borderline and narcissistic characteristics. Methods. A community sample of 709 adolescents (age 13-19) was tested for personality dimensions (Self, Self-acceptance, Relationship with Family and Friends, Aggression, Sexuality, Investments and goals) using the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q) and for borderline (Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children – BPFSC-11) and narcissistic features (Pathological Narcissism Inventory – PNI). Results. Data suggest significant associations between specific personality dimensions and pathological personality features. In particular, results showed strong associations between borderline features and impairments in self and interpersonal related personality dimensions as well as with difficulties in aggression regulation. Likewise, data indicated significant relations between vulnerable narcissistic features and self-related aspects of personality. Finally, results showed impairments in Self, Self-acceptance dimensions, difficulties in aggression regulation and sexuality, related to more severe grandiose narcissistic characteristics. Discussions. These preliminary data suggest that impairments in specific dimensions of emerging personality structure in adolescence might be related explicitly to borderline and narcissistic features. In particular, both emerging identity and the ability to regulate aggression might play an essential role in this relationship. Also, identifying crucial impaired dimensions of emerging personality structure might benefit clinical purposes and practice.
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