Adolescent Cluster A personality disorder symptoms, role assumption in the transition to adulthood, and resolution or persistence of symptoms

Cluster A odd or eccentric personality disorder (PD) symptoms may reflect a schizophrenia spectrum biological vulnerability in at least some persons. Consequently, this symptom pattern may have particularly negative effects on the transition from adolescent to adult roles. A general population sample of 200 young adults was assessed on Cluster A PD at mean ages 17 and 22, and subsequently provided detailed narratives about their monthly experiences and behaviors between these two ages. Adolescent Cluster A PD was related to the developmental trajectories of residential, career, financial, romantic, and family formation roles during this period, and trajectories were related to a change in symptoms over this period. Symptoms were associated with early parenthood and less advanced education, but for other developmental outcomes tended to differ for men and women. These gender differences were attributable, in part, to the differential meaning and consequences of early parenthood for men and women.