Personality Disorder Article Evaluation:

The article does a good job of getting information from a variety of sources. For example it includes information about personality disorders from both the ICD and the DSM-5, two different diagnostic manuals. Every paragraph has at least one citation from reliable sources. While the article includes information from the most recent diagnostic manuals, it also includes information from the outdated versions. While it is helpful to see how each edition has changed, it is slightly distracting. I might consider removing these. The point of view is unbiased and simply presents facts. The causes section is lacking information. Since there are no definitive causes of personality disorders, this section should focus on risk factors. It currently mainly focuses on child abuse and fails to acknowledge the other factors at play.

This is what is already under causes:

"There are numerous possible causes of mental disorders, and they may vary depending on the disorder, the individual, and the circumstances. There may be genetic dispositions as well as particular life experiences, which may or may not include particular incidents of trauma or abuse.

Child abuse and neglect consistently evidence themselves as antecedent risks to the development of personality disorders in adulthood. In the following study, efforts were taken to match retrospective reports of abuse with a clinical population that had demonstrated psychopathology from childhood to adulthood who were later found to have experienced abuse and neglect. In a study of 793 mothers and children, researchers asked mothers if they had screamed at their children, and told them that they did not love them or threatened to send them away. Children who had experienced such verbal abuse were three times as likely as other children (who did not experience such verbal abuse) to have borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive or paranoid personality disorders in adulthood. The sexually abused group demonstrated the most consistently elevated patterns of psychopathology. Officially verified physical abuse showed an extremely strong correlation with the development of antisocial and impulsive behavior. On the other hand, cases of abuse of the neglectful type that created childhood pathology were found to be subject to partial remission in adulthood."

How I will be changing it:

Causes and Risk Factors:

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Currently, there are no definitive proven causes for personality disorders. However, there are numerous possible causes and known risk factors supported by scientific research that vary depending on the disorder, the individual, and the circumstance. Overall, findings show that genetic disposition and life experiences, such as trauma and abuse, play a key role in the development of personality disorders.

Child Abuse

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Child abuse and neglect consistently show up as risk factors to the development of personality disorders in adulthood (source on original page). A study looked at retrospective reports of abuse of participants that had demonstrated psychopathology throughout their life and were later found to have past experience with abuse. In a study of 793 mothers and children, researchers asked mothers if they had screamed at their children, and told them that they did not love them or threatened to send them away. Children who had experienced such verbal abuse were three times as likely as other children (who did not experience such verbal abuse) to have borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive or paranoid personality disorders in adulthood (source on original page). The sexually abused group demonstrated the most consistently elevated patterns of psychopathology. Officially verified physical abuse showed an extremely strong correlation with the development of antisocial and impulsive behavior. On the other hand, cases of abuse of the neglectful type that created childhood pathology were found to be subject to partial remission in adulthood (source on original page).

Socioeconomic Status

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Socioeconomic status has also been looked at as a potential cause for personality disorders. There is a strong association with low parental/neighborhood socioeconomic status and personality disorder symptoms.[1] In a recent study comparing parental socioeconomic status and a child's personality, it was seen that children who were from higher socioeconomic backgrounds were more altuistic, less risk seeking, and had overall higher IQs.[2] These traits correlate with a low risk of developing personality disorders later on in life. In a study looking at female children who were detained for disciplinary actions found that psychological problems were most negatively associated with socioeconomic problems.[3] Furthermore, social disorganization was found to be inversely correlated with personality disorder symptoms.[4]

Parenting

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Evidence shows that personality disorders may begin with parental personality issues. These cause the parent to have their own difficulties in adulthood, such as difficulties reaching higher education, obtaining jobs, and securing dependable relationships. By either genetic or modeling mechanisms, children can pick up these traits.[1] Additionally, poor parenting has been shown to have symptom elevating effects on personality disorders.[1] More specfically, lack of maternal bonding has also been correlated with personality disorders. In a study comparing 100 healthy individuals to 100 borderline personality disorder patients, analysis showed that BPD patients were significantly more likely not to have been breastfed as a baby (42.4% in BPD vs. 9.2% in healthy controls).[5] These researchers suggested that this act may be essential in fostering maternal relationships. Additionally, it has been found that personality disorders show a negative correlation with two attachment variables: maternal availability and dependability.[6] When left unfostered, other attachment and interpersonal problems occur later in life ultimately leading to development of personality disorders.

Genetics

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Currently, genetic research for the understanding of the development of personality disorders is severely lacking. However, there are a few possible risk factors currently in discovery. Researchers are currently looking into genetic mechanisms for traits such as agression, fear and anxiety, which are associated with diagnosed individuals.[7] More research is being conducted into disorder specific mechanisms.

  1. ^ a b c Cohen, Patricia; Chen, Henian; Gordon, Kathy; Johnson, Jeffrey; Brook, Judith; Kasen, Stephanie (April 2008). "Socioeconomic background and the developmental course of schizotypal and borderline personality disorder symptoms". Development and Psychopathology. 20 (2): 633–650. doi:10.1017/s095457940800031x. ISSN 1469-2198.
  2. ^ Deckers, Thomas (February 2015). "How Does Socio-Economic Status Shape a Child's Personality?" (PDF). Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Global Working Group.
  3. ^ Damme, Lore Van; Colins, Olivier; Maeyer, Jessica De; Vermeiren, Robert; Vanderplasschen, Wouter (2015-06-01). "Girls' quality of life prior to detention in relation to psychiatric disorders, trauma exposure and socioeconomic status". Quality of Life Research. 24 (6): 1419–1429. doi:10.1007/s11136-014-0878-2. ISSN 0962-9343.
  4. ^ Walsh, Zach; Shea, M. Tracie; Yen, Shirley; Ansell, Emily B.; Grilo, Carlos M.; McGlashan, Thomas H.; Stout, Robert L.; Bender, Donna S.; Skodol, Andrew E. (2012-09-17). "Socioeconomic-Status and Mental Health in a Personality Disorder Sample: The Importance of Neighborhood Factors". Journal of Personality Disorders. 27 (6): 820–831. doi:10.1521/pedi_2012_26_061. ISSN 0885-579X.
  5. ^ Schwarze, Cornelia E.; Hellhammer, Dirk H.; Stroehle, Verena; Lieb, Klaus; Mobascher, Arian (2014-09-23). "Lack of Breastfeeding: A Potential Risk Factor in the Multifactorial Genesis of Borderline Personality Disorder and Impaired Maternal Bonding". Journal of Personality Disorders. 29 (5): 610–626. doi:10.1521/pedi_2014_28_160. ISSN 0885-579X.
  6. ^ Michelle, Ball, Ericka (2016-10-20). "The Moderating Role of Maternal Attachment on Borderline Personality Disorder Features and Dependent Life Stress". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "What causes personality disorders?". http://www.apa.org. Retrieved 2017-08-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)