Underlying dimensions of ICD-10 personality disorders: Risk factors, childhood antecedents, and adverse outcomes in adulthood

Previous studies have identified specific underlying dimensions of personality disorders with remarkable consistency. This study aimed to replicate the factor structure of personality disorders using ICD-10 dimensional scores from a sample of 366 male offenders. Factor analysis yielded three factors. Factor 1 demonstrated dissocial, paranoid, histrionic, and impulsive personality traits. Factor 2 reflected borderline, anxious, and avoidant PD symptoms. Factor 3 showed high loadings on schizoid PD traits and an inverse relation to anankastic personality. The factor structure was identical to a recent study using ICD-10 personality disorder scores and showed strong similarities to previous studies using DSM-III personality disorder dimensions. Factor I was substantially correlated with the psychopathy total score. Elevated scores on this factor were associated with adverse childhood experiences, early behavioural problems (conduct/hyperkinetic disorder), co-morbid substance abuse in adulthood, an earlier start of criminal career, and a higher number of sentences/offences. No risk factors or childhood antecedents could be identified for Factor 2. However, this factor was distinctively characterised by co-morbid affective and neurotic mental disorders in adulthood. Factor 3 was negatively associated with measures of cognitive functioning. The findings suggest specific pathways, courses, and outcomes of the identified personality disorder dimensions.