A retrospective study of separation in the development of adult avoidant personality disorder.

This retrospective study investigated experiences of separation and perceptions of early relations with parents and peers by patients diagnosed as having avoidant personality disorder. The main hypothesis of our study was that patients diagnosed as having avoidant personality disorder would report more actual separations and more pathogenic parenting than normal control subjects. This hypothesis was not supported. The main features differentiating patients from normals were: perceptions of a encouraging home climate, and less demonstrations of love and pride in the child on the part of the parents.