Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

When do personality disorders typically have their onset?

1. Early childhood

2. Late adulthood

3. Adolescence

4. Young adulthood

The correct answer is: Adolescence

Personality disorders typically have their onset during adolescence. This phase of development is crucial as individuals undergo significant emotional, psychological, and social changes, which can contribute to the emergence of persistent personality traits that characterize these disorders. During adolescence, individuals are forming their identities, establishing relationships, and adapting to social norms, all of which can expose underlying vulnerabilities or predispositions to personality disorders. The characteristics and patterns of behavior associated with these disorders become more evident as the individual matures and they often become stable aspects of personality by young adulthood. Onset during late adulthood is less common, as personality traits are typically established earlier in life. Early childhood involves the development of foundational aspects of personality, but personality disorders specifically manifest as enduring patterns that emerge more distinctly in the teenage years. Young adulthood is often seen as a period when these disorders remain stable rather than starting, solidifying the understanding that adolescence is a critical period for the emergence of personality disorders.