EMERGING PERSONALITY IN ADOLESCENCE: DIMENSIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Adolescence is a crucial period for the development of (mal)adaptive personality. In this regard, the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders in DSM-5 and the novel ICD-11 suggest effective approaches to personality pathology stressing self and interpersonal functioning and the role of maladaptive traits. These approaches are in line with the psychodynamic focus on personality functioning and its dimensions. Our contribution presents data on the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q), a self-report measure to capture core aspects of personality functioning in adolescence. On two large samples of adolescents (total N= 1,664), we investigated the psychometric properties of the APS-Q. We explored its factor structure and construct and incremental validity in the first sample, testing specific associations with existing measures of severity of personality pathology (SIPP-118), maladaptive personality traits (PID-5), and psychological distress. In the second sample, we confirmed its factor structure, assessing gender and age invariance. In particular, data highlighted significant associations between the APS-Q sense of self dimension and PID-5 internalizing traits (Negative Affectivity and Detachment) and Disinhibition and Psychoticism. Also, we found significant associations between Aggression and externalizing traits (Antagonism and Disinhibition) and between the quality of relationships (with friends and family) and Detachment. Overall, our findings focus on developmentally vital dimensions such as self-functioning (encompassing mental and bodily changes and considering the dimension of sexuality), interpersonal functioning (discriminating the dimensions of family and peers), and emotion regulation, in line with the AMPD approach. Clinical implications and future research trajectories are discussed.