EARLY: Investigating Early Signs and the Developmental Course of Personality Disorders in Young People

Personality disorders (PDs) are frequent mental illnesses that have devastating effects on both afflicted individuals and society. Until recently, they were primarily diagnosed in adulthood, although it is now well established that their onset occurs during childhood and adolescence.

In adults, the diagnosis of personality disorders encompasses the evaluation of self-related functioning (i.e., identity, self-direction) and interpersonal functioning (empathy, intimacy). However, these types of tests have never been implemented in children and adolescents. In this highly collaborative project, the researchers in this consortium will develop questionnaires to establish the early signs of PDs and characterize the progression of this condition in multiple settings and across different cultures, age groups and economic conditions. By generating harmonized and standardized tests for the diagnosis of personality disorders in children, this consortium aims to support clinicians in the early detection of this mental condition as well as to prevent the chronification and negative outcomes associated with PDs.