Psychological intervention

Gene

Engineering

Personality disorders

Social psychology

Complement (music)

Development theory

Psychiatry

Economics

Market economy

Biochemistry

Computer science

Personality pathology

Complementation

Psychology

Psychotherapist

Artificial intelligence

Chemistry

Clinical psychology

Perspective (graphical)

Personality

Engineering ethics

Phenotype

Current Opinion in Psychology

Research on personality disorder (PD) development has received increased attention in the last two decades, spurring reconceptualization in theoretical models of etiology, use of advanced methods, and development of effective treatments. The current manuscript briefly reviews the state of the field and proposes avenues of new research on the development of personality pathology in theoretical, methodological, and clinical veins. We identify the need to adopt a unifying and comprehensive theory to describe PD development across the lifespan, novel statistical methods to complement traditional methods relied on thus far, and the adoption of developmentally sensitive interventions that are disseminated to professionals and trainees alike. These directions for future research aim to augment prevention efforts to reduce the burden of PDs earlier in life.

Future directions in personality pathology development research from a trainee perspective: Suggestions for theory, methodology, and practice