Social and Occupational Functioning of individuals with Personality Disorder

Abstract

Background: Personality disorders severely restrict social and occupational functioning, affecting 7.8% of the global population (Winsper et al., 2020). While studies worldwide highlight their impact, there is a limitation of research in Bangladesh. To establish effective interventions, this study aims to explore the level of social and occupational functioning in individuals with personality disorders in Bangladesh. Aim: To identify the social and occupational functioning of individual with PD. Methodology: This study followed a quantitative cross-sectional design with purposive sampling method to collect data from 66 individuals with PD through face-to-face surveys at NIMH. Participants, aged 18 or above, were diagnosed with any type of PD. WHODAS 2.0 assessed domains such as cognition, mobility, self-care, and participation. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 20 to determine impairment levels. Result: According to the study the study most participants were young women (89.4%) with a median age of 20, completed higher secondary education (39.4%), and were students (65.2%). The results revealed severe impairment in understanding and communication (50.00), moderate impairment in mobility (25.00), mild impairment in self-care (10.00), moderate impairment in household activities (40.00), and severe impairment in professional/school activities and social participation (60.71). Conclusion: People with PD have major impairments in their social and occupational functioning, especially when it comes to social engagement and daily life activities. They need more support and interventions to improve their level of social and occupational functioning. Keywords: Personality disorder, Social functioning, Occupational functioning.