Originalarbeiten / Original Articles. Bindung, Persönlichkeitsstörungen und Depression im Jugendalter / Attachment, Personality Disorders and Depression in Adolescence.

Abstract

Attachment, Personality Disorders and Depression in Adolescence Depressive disorders are particularly common in child and adolescent psychiatric settings. There are high comorbidity rates, however, research on comorbid personality disorders in adolescent age groups remains limited. Attachment-related dynamics play a significant role in the development of both depression and personality disorders and they represent important indicators of therapeutic outcomes. The present study shows our latest findings on attachment patterns and personality pathology in an adolescent inpatient psychiatric sample with depression. More than half of the adolescents were classified with an unresolved attachment pattern, and one-third met the criteria for a personality disorder. Furthermore, young people with depression showed elevated levels of identity diffusion. Therapeutic approaches that address attachment- related aspects and personality pathology may offer an effective treatment option for adolescents with depression.