Associations Between Childhood Trauma and Personality Functioning and Maladaptive Personality Trait Domains in South Korea: An Alternative DSM-5 Model Approach.

Childhood trauma has been linked to personality pathology, including impairments in personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits. However, studies applying contemporary dimensional models such as the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) remain limited in South Korea. The aim of this study was to examine associations between childhood trauma and personality pathology using the AMPD in 800 South Korean adults. Latent variable structural equation modeling was conducted while controlling for age and gender and allowing covariances among trauma subtypes. Childhood trauma showed significant associations with both impairments in personality functioning (Criterion A) and maladaptive personality trait domains (Criterion B), with stronger associations observed for Criterion B. Compared with the Five-Factor Model, pathological personality traits showed greater sensitivity to childhood trauma. Physical neglect and emotional abuse exhibited the strongest associations across both domains. These findings support the applicability of the AMPD for understanding the impact of childhood trauma in South Korea.