PERSONALITY-DISORDERS AFTER AGE 50 - A METAANALYSIS

A meta-analytic approach was used to review the literature for trends concerning the frequency and distribution of personality disorder symp tomatology in older adults, and to consider implications for future in vestigation. Eleven articles published from 1980 through 1994 met the study criteria: (1) Personality disorder diagnoses based upon DSM-III or DSM-III-R criteria; (2) original data reported in the study; (3) su fficient information reported so that meta-analytic procedures could b e followed; (4) a focus upon older adults (age 50 and above) by the st udy or a clearly measurable older group within the study; and (5) asse ssment of personality disorders that included the full spectrum of dis orders. Overall, the prevalence of personality disorders in this age g roup was 10%. The frequency of personality disorders in the individual studies included in the analysis ranged from 6% in a sample of geriat ric patients treated for depression to 33% in a separate sample of rec overed elderly depressives. Emerging most clearly was the need for wel l-designed studies to develop a statistically robust sample for furthe r analysis.