Background: Despite the recent popularity of the classification for maladaptive traits proposed by the DSM-5, little is known about the implications of these traits in adolescent populations. This study examines the relationship between the five broad maladaptive traits included in the DSM-5 (Negative Affect, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition and Psychoticism) and a wide range of criteria of adolescent functioning: behavioural (bullying, cyberbullying, victimization, cybervictimization, problematic Internet use, substance use), emotional (negative and positive emotions, life satisfaction, self-esteem, loneliness) and motivational (extrinsic and intrinsic aspirations).
Methods: Data were collected from 921 community adolescents, who were administered the brief form of the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5-BF) as well as self-reported measures of the behavioural, emotional and motivational criteria.
Results: Antagonism and Disinhibition were the most important traits for behaviour problems, with face-to-face bullying being more associated with maladaptative traits than cyberbullying; Negative Affect, Detachment and Psychoticism were more closely related to emotional dissatisfaction, and adolescents’ goals were associated with most of the maladaptative traits.
Conclusions: This study supports the relevance of the PID-5 traits for adolescents, and extends the nomological net of pathological personality traits to multiple facets of emotions, motivations and social behaviour in young people.