Establishing the relationship between history of childhood trauma and personality disorder using the ICD-11 classification system

Abstract

The temporal relationship between childhood trauma and personality status using the ICD-11 classification was examined in 75 adults (65%F) aged between 19 and 72 selected by constrained procedure to ensure the full range of personality disturbance. Trauma history was assessed using the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale, past and recent versions and personality status using scales to assess the severity and domains of the ICD-11 system, PDS-ICD-11 and PAQ-11. The PDS-ICD-11 findings showed 52 (59.3%) had some personality disturbance with 17 (22.7%) having moderate or severe personality disorder. There was a significant association between childhood sexual trauma and ICD-11 personality severity (p = 0.005) and a lessened association with recent trauma (p = 0.02). Apart from the borderline composite score, the PAQ-11 negative affectivity domain was significantly associated with childhood sexual trauma (p = 0.003), but other domains were not linked. The Anankastia domain was significantly associated with early major physical illness (p = 0.012), and physical illness both in early life (p = 0.005) and recent exposure (p = 0.024) were associated with personality disorder. Other forms of childhood abuse and illness or injury in childhood did not differ with regard to later personality disorder. The results confirm a significant but not overwhelming relationship between childhood sexual trauma and severity of ICD-11 personality disturbance in adult life that is greater than for other classes of trauma.