Date

8-29-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Kelly Gorbett

Keywords

Childhood Trauma, Personality Disorder, Lived Experiences, Development, Connection, Early Experiences

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Childhood trauma is one of the key factors that influences the development of personality disorders in adults. Even though there is a wealth of quantitative evidence linking early trauma to later mental health issues, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the lived experiences of persons who had experienced such trauma and gone on to develop personality disorders. By examining these individual accounts, this study aimed to contribute to a more thorough understanding of the ways in which childhood trauma impacted personality development and contributed to the onset of personality disorders. In this study, 20 individuals, aged 20 to 45, who had been diagnosed with a personality disorder participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were found through social media, community outreach, and mental health professionals. The interviews included six in-depth questions about the individuals’ early experiences, the kind of trauma they had, their coping mechanisms, and how it had affected their personality and behavior today. The study’s thematic analysis revealed that, childhood trauma played a key role in shaping how individuals coped and how their personalities developed in adulthood. The thematic analysis identified the following themes: childhood trauma and personality impact, coping mechanisms and outcomes, support systems and recovery, personality disorder manifestations, and the role of faith in healing. The essential conclusion from this study is that childhood trauma is more than a single event; it disrupts growth, identity, and connection. It is essential that care be provided with compassion, empathy, and knowledge of the long-term impacts of trauma.

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