ABSTRACT 

Objective: To identify the prevalence and correlates of personality disorder in a representative sample of the Jamaican population using the Jamaica Personality Disorder Inventory (JPDI).

Method: A four-stage stratified random sampling method was used to obtain a representative population sample consisting of 1506 Jamaicans, M:F = 727 (48.3%):779 (51.7%), ages 18−64 years. A demographic questionnaire and the JPDI were administered to all participants.

Results: Two-fifths of the population (41.4%) scored above the scale’s cut-point indicating a diagnosis of personality disorder with the level of severity ranging from mild to severe. Persons with personality disorder were significantly more likely to be single (63%), male (60%), between the ages 18 and 44 years (77%) and of a lower socio-economic status (65%) (p < 0.50 to p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This is the only population study of personality disorder recorded in the English-speaking Caribbean. This suggests a high risk of behavioural dysfunction in the Jamaican population, having significant implications in light of the country’s high rate of crime and violence. The findings highlight the need to develop effective and targeted prevention and intervention measures.