Personality pathology in adolescents as a new line of scientific inquiry in Lithuania: mapping a research program development

Abstract

Mental health of adolescents is an important public health concern in Lithuania. The detection and treatment of early personality pathology are almost non-existent in the mental health system on the national level. While various mental health problems have been sporadically researched, there is no prior research on personality disorders overall. This paper describes the steps taken in the past years in Lithuania to develop a research program on personality pathology in adolescents. It presents a theoretical background, key objectives, and design of the current longitudinal project focused on the developmental course of personality functioning (based on Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders) over a two-year period as well as the factors that may shape its trajectories during adolescence.