Personality functioning in treatment-referred youth: The reciprocal association between perceived negative interactions with parents and impairments in personality functioning

Introduction: Previous research investigated the interplay between impairments in personality functioning and perceived negative interactions with parents. Those studies mostly utilized cross-sectional methodologies in community samples. This study aimed to clarify the direction of associations between impaired personality functioning (i.e., difficulties in identity formation and less capacity of empathy and intimacy) and perceived negative interactions with parents (e.g., conflicts with parents) in treatment-referred youth. Methods: The sample consisted of 285 youth (79.3% self-identified women; M age = 19.1, SD = 2.58, range = 12-23 years) who completed questionnaires at three measurement points within one year. Data were analyzed with a Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model. Results: Results showed that impaired personality functioning is correlated with perceived negative interactions. However, an absence of reciprocal relationships between impaired personality functioning and perceived negative interactions with parents over time is found. Youth's impaired personality functioning is not related to youth's perceived negative interactions with parents 6 months later. Also, youth's negative interactions with parents are not associated with the personality functioning 6 months later. Discussion: Future research is needed to investigate other interpersonal factors (e.g., peer relationships, social support) that play a role in the development of personality functioning.