Exploring personality disorders in older adults

Empirical Evaluation and Clinical Relevance of a Dimensional Model for Personality Disorders in Later Life

Not applicable Interventional Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel · NCT05548946

This study is trying to see if new questionnaires can help better understand and treat personality disorders in older adults.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment750 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Tienen, Vlaams-Brabant and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05548946 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research focuses on understanding personality disorders (PDs) in older adults, a demographic often overlooked despite the prevalence of these disorders. The study aims to validate the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) and the ICD-11 approach specifically for older populations by utilizing self-report questionnaires designed to assess personality functioning. By examining the construct validity and age-neutrality of these instruments, the study seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of PDs in older adults. The findings could lead to better tailored mental health care for this age group.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Dutch-speaking older adults aged 65 and above who are experiencing personality disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments or acute mental states that affect response reliability will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders in older adults, leading to improved mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While early research indicates promise for dimensional classification in older adults, this approach is still relatively novel and requires further validation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Clinical population (inpatients and outpatients)

Inclusion Criteria:

* ONLY older adults: from the age of 65
* Dutch speaking

Exclusion Criteria (as evaluated by the psychiatrists and psychologists of the participating institutions):

* Severe cognitive impairment (Patients who are admitted because of cognitive impairment will be excluded from the participant pool, other than this the psychiatrists and psychologists of the participating institutions will make an evaluation of the patients' cognitive capacities)
* Acute state of mental impairment which would interfere with the reliability of the patients' responses (for example severe psychosis), as evaluated by the psychiatrists and psychologist of the participating institutions.

Where this trial is running

Tienen, Vlaams-Brabant and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Psychiatric DisordersPersonality PsychologyAgingPsychological Assessment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.