Personality disorders in young adult survivors of pediatric burn injury

Objective: Life experience shapes personality and chronic trauma in childhood has been associated with risk for development of subsequent personality disorder. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and character of personality disorders and traits in young adult survivors of severe pediatric burn injury. Method: SCID-II and 16PF were completed by 98 young adult survivors of pediatric burn trauma. Results: 48 (49%) met criteria for one or more personality disorders. The most frequent personality disorders were Paranoid (19.4%), Passive Aggressive (18.4%), Antisocial (17.3%), Depressive (11.2%), and Borderline (9.2%). Diagnosis with a personality disorder was associated with comorbid Axis I diagnoses and strongly correlated with personality traits as measured by the 16PF. Conclusions: Pediatric burn trauma is similar to other chronic traumas of childhood in significant correlation with subsequent personality disorder.