Association between Peer Victimization (PV) in Childhood/Adolescence and Personality Disorders among Adult Patients

Abstract

Peer Victimization (PV) or being bullied in childhood/adolescence has been associated with several negative outcomes in mental health conditions beyond the time of its occurrence. However, its possible association with personality disorders has been slightly explored. In the present study we have compared the frequency of DSM IV personality disorders among adult patients with (N = 28) or without (N = 418) a reported history of PV. For this purpose, axis II was evaluated with the Self-Report Checklist for Preliminary Items for Major Categories, whereas self-esteem and self-assessment of functioning were evaluated with single questions. Patients with PV history have met the diagnostic criteria of the avoidant (60.7% vs. 12.2%), depressive (28.5% vs. 5.2%) and paranoid (17.9% vs. 5%) personality disorders more frequently than patients without history of PV. Moreover, these patients with antecedents of being bullied have also reported lower self-esteem (2 vs. 3) and in the assessment of social functioning (4 vs. 5). Our study indicated that there is a clear association between PV and avoidant, depressive and paranoid personality patterns. These results suggest that the stress related with the experience of PV threatens a basic psychobiological need such as social acceptance with implications for the beginning of long-term dysfunctional personality trajectories.

Keywords

• peer victimization
• bullying
• personality disorders
• development psychopathology