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Risk Factors for Developing a Personality Disorder

Uri Pinus (MSW), Senior Social Worker, Mental Health Specialist
4 February 2026

Personality disorders are characterized by rigid patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that develop from childhood and make it difficult to adapt to the environment and to function personally, socially, and occupationally. The exact causes of the development of these disorders have not yet been fully identified, so professionals focus on identifying risk factors.

Risk factors are statistical terms that describe common traits among those diagnosed, but they cannot predict with certainty the development of the disorder.

The main factors include:

  • Genetic predispositions
  • Difficulties in parent-child bonding in early childhood
  • Traumatic experiences
  • Negative socioeconomic influences

In addition, it is worth noting that family members and friends in the immediate environment can serve as a moderating factor and reduce the chance of developing the disorder.

The treatment of personality disorders requires personal adjustment, as it is a multidimensional process that is built over years. Despite the complexity, there is a real possibility of change and improvement in the quality of life, even when patterns have become established over time. In the event of suspicion of a personality disorder, it is recommended to contact a mental health professional for diagnosis and tailored support.

A personality disorder is characterized by a set of rigid patterns (thinking, perception, emotions, interpersonal behavior), which develop from early childhood and are fully formed in adolescence or early adulthood. These patterns tend to remain relatively stable over time, and therefore make it difficult for the person to adapt to the environment, to personal, social and occupational functioning, and cause considerable distress.

Unlike medical conditions whose causes are known, research in the field of personality disorders is still developing. The exact causes of the development of personality disorders have not yet been fully studied and it is still not possible to identify them accurately, which makes it difficult to develop targeted prevention and treatment methods. Therefore, mental health professionals focus on identifying risk factors, such as childhood traumas, genetic factors or early attachment patterns, and on developing interventions that can reduce their impact. This approach makes it possible to provide a therapeutic response, even when the picture of the origins of the disorder is not fully known.

The meaning of "risk factor"

Risk factors are statistical terms that describe common traits in people who have already been diagnosed. Unlike a causal explanation, risk factors do not in themselves explain the origin of the disorder nor do they predict what the future of a person will be, but only describe the degree of likelihood (risk) that this will happen – without certainty. In other words, there are people with risk factors, but they will never develop a personality disorder. This is similar to the fact that among people who have developed heart disease, there is an especially high incidence of smokers, and therefore cigarette smoking is recognized as a risk factor for heart disease – but it is not necessarily the cause. It is possible for a person to smoke and not develop heart disease, and at the same time, a person may develop heart disease even though they have never smoked.

In addition, we currently do not have enough information about the degree of mutual influence (interaction) between the various risk factors and the relative weight of each of them, for example, which would have a stronger effect – repeated divorce of parents, or perhaps immigration in early adolescence? Or perhaps is it a combination of these two factors? Since the explanation may vary from one person to another, most often the approach is to each case on its own merits.

Despite the uncertainty about the relative weight of each factor, a number of central theoretical approaches have been developed, which we will attempt to explain.

Personality disorder: Combination between risk factors

Among researchers and therapists, it is generally accepted that personality disorders are related to a combination of many factors, including genetic predisposition, difficulties in establishing an initial bond between parent and child in early childhood, exposure to traumatic circumstances in childhood, exposure to negative socioeconomic influences, and more. These are some of the main risk factors:

People with a family history of mental health problems may be at higher risk of developing certain personality disorders. Genetic studies conducted among the offspring of people with a personality disorder have shown a tendency to develop certain personality traits, such as recklessness, a tendency to seek thrills, difficulty regulating strong emotions, distrust of the environment, a tendency to be highly reactive to events in the environment, etc. Such innate personality traits, combined with other factors, may form the basis for the formation of a personality disorder in older age.

A family-social environment characterized by instability, poor emotional support, or an atmosphere saturated with conflicts, such as ongoing tension, arguments and confrontations, poor communication, and frustration, may increase the likelihood of developing a personality disorder. Similarly, a parenting style characterized by rigidity, neglect, or abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional) increases the risk. In addition, social norms and social expectations and pressures, may also play a role in shaping personality traits and potentially contribute to the development of a personality disorder.

Childhood experiences shape the structure of a person's personality. In this respect, abuse, neglect, or unhealthy attachment patterns with significant figures, such as parents and educators, can cause significant harm to the healthy development of personality. The way a girl or boy experience relationships with the significant figures in their lives may shape future behavioral patterns – especially traumatic experiences at a young age, which may disrupt the building of effective coping mechanisms. In the face of an experience of threat or traumatic injury, children will direct their resources to behaviors aimed at defense, such as aggression, withdrawal, avoidance, dependency, and more, at the expense of learning processes, creativity, and the development of social relationships.

The environment as a moderating factor

Humans are born with a given biological predisposition, and it is natural that it will influence the development or non-development of personality disorders. However, it is important to emphasize that this is not the only reason. Society as a whole and especially the immediate environment, such as family and friends, are the ones that may improve the chances that those born with a certain biological predisposition will not develop personality disorders, or vice versa – that they will develop them. In other words, the immediate environment may become a moderating factor of a person's genetic predisposition.

It is important to remember

It is important to remember

Each and every one of us has innate tendencies or character traits, but we can help ourselves and those close to us by directing and shaping their strength so that they become our trait marks, without becoming a personality disorder.

Treatment approaches and the need for customization

Different treatments focus on different aspects of personality disorders. Some treatments emphasize the significance of difficulty in emotional regulation and understanding the inner world of emotions, others emphasize the significance of rigid thinking patterns that produce thinking biases about the self and the environment. In addition, some treatments emphasize the interpersonal level that causes many difficulties in personality disorders. In any case, in light of the fact that the formation of a personality disorder is a multidimensional and ongoing process over years, involving various factors, individual attention is required for each person, including their unique life story and the specific circumstances in which their lives were built. Treatment for personality disorders is multidimensional by customization, and even if there is evidence of effectiveness in treatment according to a particular approach, it would not be right to apply it to every person suffering from a personality disorder.

When it comes to personality disorders, each story is unique and requires personalized attention. Although there are significant risk factors – genetic and environmental – it is not an inevitable fate. Research and clinical experience show that even in complex cases, there are possibilities for significant change. The challenge in treating personality disorders is indeed great, but when approached with a professional, comprehensive, and tailored approach, paths to growth and development open up. Ultimately, the understanding that patterns of behavior and thinking can change even if they have been established over years is what provides hope and the possibility of coping effectively and improving quality of life.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is dealing with a personality disorder, contacting a mental health professional is an important first step in the journey to improving quality of life. Experienced therapists in the field can offer an accurate diagnosis, tailored support, and professional guidance in the coping and change process.