Childhood Trauma and the Risk of Personality Disorders in Adulthood: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Childhood trauma is a multidimensional developmental experience that may influence adult personality functioning through attachment disruption, emotion dysregulation, neurobiological stress sensitization, and maladaptive self-concept. However, the relationship between specific trauma experiences and adult personality disorders remains complex and non-deterministic. Objective: This systematic literature review aimed to synthesize conceptual and empirical evidence regarding childhood trauma as a risk factor for personality disorders and maladaptive personality traits in adulthood. Methods: The review followed the PRISMA 2020 framework. Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed English-language literature published between 2016 and 2026. Eligible studies examined childhood abuse, neglect, adverse childhood experiences, or household dysfunction in relation to adult personality disorder, personality dysfunction, or maladaptive traits. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed through narrative synthesis because of substantial methodological and clinical heterogeneity. Results: The evidence consistently demonstrated a positive association between childhood trauma and adult personality pathology. The strongest empirical evidence concerned borderline personality disorder, particularly in relation to emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and cumulative adversity. Trauma exposure was also associated with negative affectivity, detachment, disinhibition, antagonism, psychoticism, impaired identity, interpersonal distrust, and emotion-regulation difficulties. Protective relationships, resilience, adaptive coping, and timely intervention appeared to moderate these risks. Conclusion: Childhood trauma represents a significant but non-deterministic developmental risk factor. Trauma-informed assessment and the dimensional ICD-11 framework may improve early identification, prevention, and intervention for adults experiencing personality dysfunction.