AXIS-II PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AS A FUNCTION OF AXIS-I DISORDERS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Objective: To examine the occurrence of elevated personality disorder (PD) dimensional scares in a community sample of young adults as a fun ction of the occurrence of Axis I disorders through age 18 years. Meth od: 299 individuals who had been interviewed regarding Axis I disorder s twice while in adolescence (first when 14 through 18 years of age) w ere carefully assessed regarding Axis [ and If psychopathology at age 24. Results: The prevalence of PD diagnoses was relatively low (3.8% i n participants with a history of Axis I versus 1.7% in participants wi th no Axis I history). The occurrence of all four Axis I diagnostic ca tegories (major depression, anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior dis orders, substance use disorders) in childhood and adolescence was asso ciated with elevated PD dimensional scores. The likelihood of elevated PD dimensional scores increased as a function of the number of Axis I disorders. Elevated PD scores were significantly associated with a ne gative course of major depression. Conclusions: Although the rates of PDs were low, the findings suggest a substantial degree of association between early-onset Axis I disorders and Axis ii psychopathology in y oung adulthood. More research is needed to develop assessment and trea tment recommendations addressing the early manifestations of PDs.