Examining how Dimensional Maladaptive Personality Traits can influence Perceived Social Support in a non-clinical young adult sample

Abstract

The Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) operationally defines Personality Disorders (PDs) as enduring and maladaptive behavioural patterns fuelled by 5 dimensional traits: Negative Affectivity, Disinhibition, Detachment, Psychoticism and Antagonism, Research suggests that maladaptive traits irrespective of a (PD) diagnosis can be responsible for the maintenance and development of severe interpersonal and emotional dysfunction. Although perceived social support (PSS) has been systematically and negatively linked to stress and overall psychopathology the are no studies addressing its relationship with AMPD’S criterion B. The present cross-sectional study by recruiting a nonclinical sample of young adults (N= 65) aimed to examine the relationship between maladaptive personality traits and PSS. Consistent with our hypothesis Negative Affectivity and Disinhibition predicted lower scores of PSS. Even though our findings cannot be generalized to clinical settings, we propose that subclinical manifestations of maladaptive traits should not be underestimated. More specifically, future research expanding these conclusions should aim to to contextualize symptoms by considering psychopathology as a dynamic concept occurring in complex social contexts and encourage mental health policies to psychosocially intervene in a preventive manner.