Childhood predictors of avoidant personality disorder traits in adolescence: a seven-wave birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although it is widely assumed that avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) originates in childhood, there is little prospective research to substantiate this claim. We therefore aimed to determine whether presumed childhood risk factors predict AvPD traits at 16 years.

Methods

A population-based sample (n = 1,077; 50.9% female) from the 2003 and 2004 birth cohorts in Trondheim, Norway was examined biennially from 4 to 16 years. The number of AvPD traits at the age of 16 was assessed with the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 personality disorders and regressed on the intercept and growth in child risk and protective factors until the age of 14.

Results

The prevalence of AvPD at the age of 16 was 3.2% (95% CI: 2.2-4.1). Higher levels and an increased numb

SUBMITTER: Wichstrom L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11812495 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature