Personality disorder symptomatology in Belgian emerging adults: Associations with identity processes and statuses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Individual differences in identity development are commonly captured by identity statuses, representing combinations of high and/or low scores on identity exploration and commitment processes. Although identity impairment is considered a potential diagnostic criterion of all personality disorders (PDs) in Section III of DSM-5, studies that relate identity processes or statuses to PDs are limited. The current study examined associations between identity processes and statuses, and dimensionally measured PDs among 343 Belgian emerging adults (71.4% female; M age = 22.73, SD = 2.85, age range = 18–30). Stepwise cluster analysis on the identity processes revealed six identity statuses: achievement, foreclosure, searching moratorium, troubled diffusion, carefree diffusion, and an undifferentiated status. Generally, commitment making and identification with commitment were negatively associated with PDs, whereas ruminative exploration was positively related to PDs. Individuals in troubled and carefree diffusion statuses reported the highest mean scores on PD symptomatology, whereas individuals in achievement and foreclosure statuses reported the lowest mean PD scores. The present findings suggest that individuals who appear unable to settle on identifying-defining commitments are prone to the highest levels of PD symptomatology.