Understanding how personality issues develop in young people

Testing Developmental Mechanisms of Personality Impairment in Youth

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11031992

This study is looking at how we can spot early signs of personality disorders in teenagers so we can help them before things get worse, by understanding how they see themselves and connect with others.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hershey, United States)
Project IDNIH-11031992 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the early signs of personality disorders in adolescents, focusing on how these issues can be identified and measured before they become severe. It uses a dimensional approach to assess personality functioning, which looks at how well individuals understand themselves and relate to others. By examining neurophysiological mechanisms, the study aims to uncover the underlying factors that contribute to personality impairment, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and support for at-risk youth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults under 21 who may be experiencing early signs of personality dysfunction or related mental health issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are over 21 years old or do not exhibit any signs of personality impairment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for personality disorders in adolescents, improving long-term mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While research on personality disorders has been extensive in adults, this approach focusing on early adolescence is relatively novel and has not been widely tested.

Where this research is happening

Hershey, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.