BPD and homotypic and heterotypic continuity: Interaction of developmental processes and personality

BPD and concepts of homotypic and heterotypic continuity

According to Sharp et al. (2007) a juvenile diagnosis of BPD is highly discouraged, thus making it difficult to study the continuity of symptoms across the lifespan. Studying BPD through a lens of heterotypic and homotypic continuity can shed light on how the disorder develops and persists over time, however, due to strong recommendations against diagnosing adolescents with BPD, these studies are scarce (Sharp et al., 2007). 

Personality psychologists have attempted to determine stability versus change in development of personality over time. The use of the construct of continuity can assist with expanding the knowledge of how pathology develops and changes (Speranza et al., 2023; Sharp et al., 2007). The construct of continuity refers to the "consistency, similarity and predictability of behavior or internal states across different developmental stages" and in this case refers to psychological structures, traits and/or learned behaviors (Speranza et al., 2023, p. 1). Homotypic continuity is when a psychiatric disorder is predictive and similar traits are seen across different development stages, which can be measured by the same indicators (Speranza et al., 2023). While heterotypic continuity is when a disorder assumes another phenomenological one over time (Speranza et al., 2023). 

Influence of interaction between development processes and personality

Researchers suggests a homotypic continuity in personality traits, usually only detectable after puberty, although some temperamental characteristics remain consistent from childhood (Speranza et al., 2023). Although more research is needed, personality disorders have been found to have origins in maladaptive traits seen as early as the preschool age (Speranza et al., 2023). In addition, most Big Five traits remain stable from childhood to adulthood (Speranza et al., 2023). For those individuals diagnosed with BPD, researchers have found that disorganized attachment in childhood persists through adulthood and can lead to BPD and impulsive and maladaptive behavior during development are predictors of the development of adult BPD (Speranza et al., 2023). BPD has been found to be a stable personality disposition, however as noted previously, due to the discouragement of a juvenile BPD diagnosis, more research is needed to determine the influence of homotypic and heterotypic continuity (Speranza et al., 2023; Sharp et al., 2007). 

Reference

Speranza, A. M., Liotti, M., Spoletini, I., & Fortunato, A. (2023). Heterotypic and homotypic continuity in psychopathology: a narrative review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1194249.

Venta, A., Herzhoff, K., Cohen, P., & Sharp, C. (2014). The longitudinal course of borderline personality disorder in youth. Handbook of borderline personality disorder in children and adolescents, 229-245.

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