Distribution and Risk Factors of Disability Attributed to Personality Disorders: A National Cross-sectional Survey in China

Abstract

Background: Personality disorders can lead to some disability. However, little is known about the disability prevalence and function impairments. This study aimed to describe the disability prevalence attributed to personality disorders, its distribution, impairments of daily activities and social functions, and risk factors in China. Methods: Using a descriptive and analytic epidemiological method, data from the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006 were analyzed. The disability prevalence attributed to personality disorders, its distribution in different people and regions, and risk factors were statistically calculated. Results: Respondents included 1,909,205 adults. The disability prevalence rate attributed to personality disorders in China was 5.9/100,000. The disability rate attributed to personality disorders of males was higher than that of females (P = 0.012), while the rate of the unemployed was higher than that of the employed (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the rates of unmarried/divorced/widowed people and the illiterate population were higher than those of married and educated people (P < 0.001). Regarding the severity of disability attributable to personality disorders, mild disability accounted for a majority or 60% of the respondents. The data showed that disability mainly impaired respondents' ability to engage in daily activities, get along with people, and participate in social situations. According to the case-control study, marriage, employment, and higher education were protective factors of disability. Conclusions: The prevalence of disability attributed to personality disorders is low in China and always leads to mild disability. The distribution of disability attributed to personality disorders also varies in the Chinese population.