Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Trait
Positive outcome
Negative outcome
Extraversion
Social competence Promotes good
health; better romance/ long-term
relationships
Antisocial behaviour; callousness
Neuroticism
Conscience development; guilt
when expected
Poor relationships; relation
conflict; relation abuse; less
competent parenting; risk for
unemployment
Conscientiousness
School adjustment; educational
and occupational achievement; job
performance
Obsessive
Agreeableness
Social competence; positive
parenting; responsible parenting
Exposure to risks
Openness
Exploring friendliness; academic
achievement
Exposure to risks
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Adolescence
In contrast, more complex cases seen in special-
ist services (Tier 4 NHS) may fully satisfy criteria
for various personality disorders. Co-morbidity for
a range of other psychiatric and behavioural disor-
ders is also the norm in samples of children (and
also adults) referred to specialist services such as
adolescent psychiatric units and forensic services.
In cases where there is concern about a child’s
personality traits or an emerging personality
disorder, an assessment should be done, covering
all aspects of the child’s development includ-
ing temperament, personality and family life
(
17;
Figure 34.1). A family assessment of children
at risk of ASPD or psychopathy is particularly
important given the role of family risk factors,
including parental mental illness and criminality,
in their development [5,6,9,14].