Two-polarities models of personality propose that personality development evolves through a dialectic synergistic interaction between two fundamental developmental psychological processes across the life span--the development of interpersonal relatedness on the one hand and of self-definition on the other. This article offers a broad review of…

Self-inflicted injury (SII) in adolescence marks heightened risk for suicide attempts, completed suicide, and adult psychopathology. Although several studies have revealed elevated rates of depression among adolescents who self injure, no one has compared adolescent self injury with adolescent depression on biological, self-, and informant-report…

Personality functioning of 90 children (ages 11-16) with intelligence quotients greater than 135 was examined using the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and the Child Behavior Checklist. Scores of gifted males and females were more similar to each other than to high school norms and displayed no greater incidence of psychopathology. (Author/VW)

A previous study of psychopathology and ego development was replicated with design improvement. Contrary to the previous study, results suggested that ego development is not meaningfully predictive of type or severity of psychopathology. It is concluded that in terms of molar relations, ego development and psychopathology appear independent.…

Conducted study as part of longitudinal research project designed to discover more about the relations between religious involvement and mental health. Collected data through semistructured interviews and a psychological test battery from 56 religious young adults in a 3-year followup. Revealed lack of evidence of link between orthodox religiosity…

In generic psychiatry there has been increasing interest among scientists for the developmental perspective. However, professionals active in the mental health care of people with intellectual disability (ID) have not shown the same degree of interest. The author of this article, who has had a liberal amount of rewarding experiences with the…

A study involving 152 children (ages 7-13) with learning disabilities assessed the relationships between age and psychosocial functioning, and the relationships among psychosocial functioning, cognitive abilities, and academic achievement. Results found no increase in psychopathology with advancing age and clear relationships between academic…

Comments are offered on a recent article by Leonard on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) as a suicide predictor. Her appraisal of former studies and her consideration of the differences among individuals with different suicidal behaviors are critically evaluated. A response from Leonard follows. (Author/BEF)

Treatment of a sexually abused woman who lacked a sense of autonomy and self-worth is described in the context of entitlement, the transient sense of being an exception to ordinary rules of morality and ethics. Entitlement in this case was considered a developmental stage of autonomy and independence of the body. (Author/JDD)

Discusses implications of recent evidence for genetic influences on personality development and psychopathology. Presents a model of the childhood origins of psychopathology that incorporates genetics and gives special emphasis to the role of parental conflict in the previously neglected middle childhood years. (Author/GC)

In a study of eating problems in adolescent girls, researchers saw 193 White adolescent females and their mothers in the girls' middle school years and two years later. Examined was the emergence of eating problems as a function of pubertal growth, body image, personality development, and family relationships. (RH)

This article examines the descriptive influences of reading and learning disorders on personality development. It discusses the effects of biologic vulnerabilities and environmental interaction, the variant patterns of defense and symptom development at various life stages, and evidence that early development failures are key elements in later…

A developmental approach to the study of personality disturbance is described that begins with a presentation of basic concepts and vocabulary, overviews normal development of personality, and uses case histories and videotaped diagnostic interviews to help students recognize and assess the quality of personality functioning. (JMD)

Studied the extent to which psychosocial development thorough the first 5 stages of E. H. Erikson's theory of personality development is associated with personality disorder symptoms, using 106 undergraduates. Negative resolutions of stages one through five may predict the presence of personality disorder symptomatology during late adolescence.…

Evaluated the impact of chronic illness on the psychological functioning and social behavior of adolescent patients. A questionnaire was given to thalassaemics (n=90) and a control group (n=100) investigating coping strategies in stressful situations. Study supports hypothesis that chronic illness does not necessarily imply psychopathologies, but…