Mental Disorder During Adolescence: Evidence of Arrested Personality Development

The experience of a mental disorder during adolescence affects personality development in multiple ways. Scientific evidence shows that psychopathologies affect personality persistence after remission, varying by disorder type.

Every disease or medical emergency can leave lasting effects on a person, impacting them in multiple ways post-prognosis. The similar thing is true for mental disorders as well. Given mental disorders are more delicate as a subject to deal with, it should be given a closer analysis. The experience of a mental disorder might affect the development of personality in multiple ways, but scientific evidence regarding psychopathology effects on personality development that persist even after remission of the disorder is limited and inconsistent.

The University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted a longitudinal cohort study known as the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS). This study assessed mental disorders occurring during adolescence using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Additionally, TRAILS gathered data on parent-reported traits such as effortful control, fearfulness, and frustration. By tracking these factors over time, the study aimed to explore how mental disorders impact adolescent development and behavior. The comprehensive approach offered insights into how mental health challenges impact emotional and behavioral traits during this crucial developmental period.

Adolescence and Mental Disorders: Long-Term Impact on Personality Development

The study involved assessing the same group of adolescents twice: first at age 11 and again at age 19. Researchers used the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire for both assessments. This approach allowed them to track changes over time and evaluate how temperament and personality traits evolved from early adolescence into late adolescence. By comparing results across these two critical developmental stages, the study aimed to provide insights into how early mental health and temperament may impact later personality development.

The results revealed that adolescent mental disorders did have small effects on personality change. The change was varied and depended on the type of disorders from which the adolescent had suffered. Internalizing disorders increased fearfulness and frustration but had little impact on effortful control. In contrast, externalizing disorders did not affect frustration and fearfulness but predicted a decrease in effortful control.

Fearfulness and frustration improved post-remission, but delays in effortful control persisted 2.9 years later, indicating lasting scarring effects.