Background: Adolescence is a crucial time for the development of psychopathology. In this scenario, the concept of a general psychopathology factor, or p-factor, suggests a shared vulnerability to mental health problems beyond the usual categories of internalizing and externalizing problems. Recent contributions suggest redefining the p-factor in terms of personality impairments, specifically highlighting self-regulation and self-esteem issues, yet empirical validation is scarce. Our research includes two studies that look at the links between the p-factor and personality traits like borderline and narcissistic traits (Study 1) and overall personality structure (Study 2) in adolescents. Methods: In Study 1, we collected data from 725 teenagers who reported their internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as borderline and narcissistic personality traits. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to see how these traits might relate to the p-factor, accounting for gender differences. Study 2 involved 1366 adolescents and used the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q), a measure of personality organization, to further investigate personality dimensions and their connection to the p-factor, using Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Results: The first study found that both borderline features and narcissistic vulnerability are associated with general psychopathology. The second study showed how different aspects of personality (like Sense of Self, Self-acceptance, and Aggression) relate to the p-factor. Conclusion: Our findings offer new evidence that suggests the p-factor should be considered in light of personality dimensions related to self-regulation and self-esteem. These results highlight the importance of looking at maladaptive personality traits and the overall organization of personality as crucial elements in understanding general psychopathology in adolescence. This approach gives us new insights into how personality development and mental health issues are connected, opening up possibilities for focused interventions and prevention efforts.
Benzi, I., Fontana, A., Di Pierro, R., Carone, N., Cacioppo, M., Parolin, L., et al. (2024). Emerging personality pathology and the p-factor in adolescence. Intervento presentato a: 8th Biennial ISTFP Conference - September 27, 28 and 29, 2024, New York, USA.
Emerging personality pathology and the p-factor in adolescence
Benzi, IMA;Di Pierro, R;Parolin, L;
2024
Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a crucial time for the development of psychopathology. In this scenario, the concept of a general psychopathology factor, or p-factor, suggests a shared vulnerability to mental health problems beyond the usual categories of internalizing and externalizing problems. Recent contributions suggest redefining the p-factor in terms of personality impairments, specifically highlighting self-regulation and self-esteem issues, yet empirical validation is scarce. Our research includes two studies that look at the links between the p-factor and personality traits like borderline and narcissistic traits (Study 1) and overall personality structure (Study 2) in adolescents. Methods: In Study 1, we collected data from 725 teenagers who reported their internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as borderline and narcissistic personality traits. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to see how these traits might relate to the p-factor, accounting for gender differences. Study 2 involved 1366 adolescents and used the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q), a measure of personality organization, to further investigate personality dimensions and their connection to the p-factor, using Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Results: The first study found that both borderline features and narcissistic vulnerability are associated with general psychopathology. The second study showed how different aspects of personality (like Sense of Self, Self-acceptance, and Aggression) relate to the p-factor. Conclusion: Our findings offer new evidence that suggests the p-factor should be considered in light of personality dimensions related to self-regulation and self-esteem. These results highlight the importance of looking at maladaptive personality traits and the overall organization of personality as crucial elements in understanding general psychopathology in adolescence. This approach gives us new insights into how personality development and mental health issues are connected, opening up possibilities for focused interventions and prevention efforts.
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