title: Cluster A maladaptive personality patterns in a non-clinical adolescent population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence and expression of Cluster A personality disorders in adolescence is poorly analyzed and understood. The main goal was to analyze the rate of Cluster A traits and maladaptive personality patterns in adolescents. In addition, the underlying dimensional structure and the possible influence of sex and age in its phenotypic expression were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The final sample was comprised of a total of 1,443 participants (M = 15.9 years, SD = 1.2). The instrument used was the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cluster A maladaptive personality traits are common among adolescents. According to the PDQ-4+, 13.1% (n = 189) of the sample reported a Cluster A maladaptive personality pattern. Analysis of the internal structure yielded two interrelated factors, namely Paranoid and Schizotypal-Schizoid. Males, compared with females, obtained higher scores on the schizotypal subscale when the score was dimensional and on the schizotypal and schizoid subscales when items were dichotomized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data yield new clues that improve the understanding of Cluster A traits in this sector of the population, and advance in early detection of adolescents at risk of personality disorders.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de La Rioja, 26002 Logroño, Spain. eduardo.fonseca.pedrero@gmail.com
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonseca-Pedrero
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paino
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santarén-Rosell
authors.forename: Serafín
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemos-Giráldez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010260:Paranoid Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012557:Schizoid Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires