Reports of adverse childhood experiences were examined in individuals
with prominent DSM Axis II psychopathology, Subjects included 90 outpa
tients who met criteria for a definite or probable (one criteria below
threshold) DSM-III-R personality disorder, Personality disorders were
evaluated using a structured diagnostic interview, The early home env
ironment was independently assessed using both a semistructured interv
iew and a self-report inventory, Results indicated that antisocial tra
its were associated with reports of significantly poorer maternal and
paternal relationships and physical abuse. Borderline and self-defeati
ng personality traits were associated with reports of poorer maternal
and paternal relationships and sexual abuse, The other personality dis
orders did not exhibit strong patterns of associations with the early
home environment variables.