Over the past two decades, interest in the developmental aspects of early personality dysfunction has grown, driven by research demonstrating that these disorders emerge during adolescence. The introduction of the Alternative Model for Personality Disorder (AMPD) in DSM-5 Section III, along with the shift to a dimensional model in ICD-11, marks a new era in which the fully dimensional framework allows for the evaluation of personality functioning across the entire spectrum, from adaptive to maladaptive, allowing for assessment across developmental stages and disorder progression.

This presentation will focus on research from Lithuania regarding the developmental aspects of emerging personality (dys)function among young people, examining both normative and clinical populations. It will explore findings on the developmental trajectories of personality dysfunction in adolescence, with particular attention to the role of social and individual challenges in shaping these pathways and their outcomes. Lastly, potential prevention and early intervention strategies will be discussed, highlighting the importance of addressing key challenges early on to enhance prognosis in both normative and atypical populations.