Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which factors are believed to contribute to the etiology of histrionic personality disorder?

1. Genetic predisposition only

2. Parental behavior and role modeling

3. Social media influence

4. Traumatic childhood experiences

The correct answer is: Parental behavior and role modeling

Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. Research has shown that parental behavior and role modeling play a significant role in the development of this disorder. For instance, individuals may learn attention-seeking behaviors and emotional expressiveness from their parents or significant caregivers. When parents exhibit behaviors that reinforce the notion that attention is a currency for love and validation, children may develop similar patterns throughout life. This pattern can manifest as overly dramatic behavior and a constant need for approval, which are hallmarks of histrionic personality disorder. Other factors, while they may also contribute to the disorder, do not have the same level of foundational influence rooted in early childhood development as parental behavior. For example, genetic predisposition might contribute to personality traits but does not account for the learned behaviors in an individual's environment. Similarly, social media influence may play a part in how those with histrionic tendencies behave in contemporary society but does not directly contribute to the fundamental etiology of the disorder as seen with parental dynamics. Traumatic childhood experiences could affect personality development in various ways but do not specifically highlight the learned patterns associated with histrionic behaviors like role modeling does. Thus, the influence of parental behavior is a core factor in the development of this