ABSTRACT
A community sample of adults with a standardized DSM-III, Axis II self-report instrument yielded an age adjusted community prevalence of 11.1% of DSM-III personality disorders. When those with personality disorders (PDs) (n = 26) were compared to those without personality traits (n = 167) the PD group had less education 14.9 (3.0) years vs 16.5 (3.3) years, p = 0.02) and a greater percentage with difficulty with alcohol (19% vs 0.6%, p = 0.0001). Of those married, more PDs reported marital difficulties (29% vs 3.5%, p = 0.002). There was a trend for the PD group to have longer unemployment (p = 0.07).
Subject(s)
Personality Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Iowa , MaleABSTRACT
A community survey of 401 randomly selected subjects yielded 249 responders, of which twenty-six had DSM-III criteria personality disorders (PDs), and 167 had no personality disorder traits (controls). More PDs than controls were medically hospitalized during the last year (38% vs 17%, p = .006). A number of significant associations was found between the number of DSM-III personality trait questions answered in a positive fashion and medical utilization. These associations varied by gender. Most striking was the .50 correlation for females between flamboyant personality disorder scores and visits to the family doctor for mental health reasons.
Subject(s)
Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Personality Disorders/psychology , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Community Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Manuals as Topic , Personality Disorders/diagnosis , United StatesABSTRACT
DSM-III pathological personality cluster traits were measured on a community sample of 235 people. Traits in the schizoid cluster (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid) showed no change with age while traits in the dramatic cluster (antisocial, narcissistic, borderline, and histrionic) and to some extent the anxious cluster (avoidant, dependent, compulsive, and passive/aggressive) showed similar significant associations with age. This pattern was a reverse "J" shaped curve, with mean number of traits declining from younger to older groups and a slight upturn in the oldest age group (60 years plus). Women aged 31 to 40 years had a higher mean number of traits than their male counterparts, with a corresponding increase in impairment. The highest levels of personality traits in men were found at ages 18 to 30, while in women the 31 to 40 year group was highest.
