Personality Pathology among Adults with History of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Study of the Relevance of DSM-5 Proposed Traits and Psychobiological Features of Temperament and Character

Abstract

Background: The main aim of this study was to determine whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is reflected in the pathological traits of the alternative model of personality disorders (AMPD) in section-III of DSM-5 and Cloninger’s temperament and character profiles. Methods: The Persian versions of Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125), and Structured Clinical Inventory for DSM-IV-TR-Axis II-Screening Questionnaire (SCID-II-SQ) were administered to 43 Iranian college students who reported a history of CSA and 390 participants who did not. Bivariate Pearson correlations and general linear model repeated measures (GLMRM) were used to compare results. Results: Bivariate correlations indicated that both the PID-5 and TCI-125 were significantly associated with their relevant personality disorders. Profile analysis showed that the pathological trait domains of the PID-5, except for negative affectivity, were significantly greater in those with an experience of CSA. Of the seven dimensions of TCI-125, novelty seeking and persistence were higher in those with an experience of CSA, but reward dependence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness were lower. Conclusions: These results confirmed a correlation between CSA and personality dysfunction. The pattern of dysfunction was complex and somewhat different from the two facet measures used.

Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Dimensional Models of Personality Disorder in DSM-5 and ICD-11: Opportunities and Challenges

“…This seems plausible given the facets of antagonism (“Emotional cold,” “Propensity to manipulation,” “Delicacy” [ 23 ]) and their conceptual proximity to symptoms of antisocial PD (“Indifference to or rationalizing of having hurt,” such as lying and manipulative behavior [ 26 ]), a disorder particularly common in forensic settings [ 57 , 58 ]. Lastly, Hemmati et al [ 59 • ] investigated maladaptive traits and sexual assault, comparing 43 adults with childhood experiences of sexual abuse to 404 adults without such experiences. Victims of childhood sexual abuse demonstrated significantly higher levels of antagonism and psychoticism.…”

Maladaptive personality traits may link childhood trauma history to current internalizing symptoms

“…A vast amount of research supports that childhood traumas contribute to the development of trait‐like vulnerabilities (Steele, Townsend & Grenyer, 2019; Torgersen, 2009), which in turn have been found to predict the onset, course, and recurrence of internalizing mental disorders (Alnaes & Torgersen, 1997; Fricke, Moritz, Andresen et al ., 2006; Gunderson, Stout, McGlashan et al ., 2011). Recent studies particularly support the association between childhood trauma and maladaptive traits (Bach & Fjeldsted, 2017; Boland, Rock, Johnson, Jones, Salekin & Anderson, 2021; Borroni, Somma, Krueger et al ., 2019; Granieri, Guglielmucci, Costanzo, Caretti & Schimmenti, 2018; Hemmati, Newton‐Howes, Falahi, Mostafavi, Colarusso & Komasi, 2021). This suggests that childhood traumas may affect the risk for internalizing psychopathology by being a determinant of trait‐like liabilities, such as maladaptive personality traits.…”

Sexual Dysfunctions and Problematic Sexuality in Personality Disorders and Pathological Personality Traits: A Systematic Review

“…Forty-three individuals in the sample experienced a CSA. The study showed greater pathological trait domains of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in individuals with a CSA experience [ 18 ]. Similarly, Flynn and colleagues analyzed the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PDs symptoms and health risk behaviors (HRB).…”