The Structure of Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms: A Multi-method Multi-sample Examination

摘要

We examined the factor structure of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms by using a multi-method, multi-sample approach. The factorial structure of BPD has previously been examined through the lens of broad retrospective reports of symptoms without directly contrasting results from different samples of participants, with studies producing inconsistent patterns of results. We go beyond previous work by examining symptoms from multiple timeframes and by examining results across and within two diagnostic groups – individuals with and without BPD. Participants (N = 281) completed a structured clinical interview for personality disorders, two weekly reports of BPD symptoms, and two weeks of in-the-moment “immediate” symptom reports, assessed five times daily. Across all participants, results revealed a robust one-factor structure that replicated across all assessment methods. Moreover, these results replicated within each diagnostic group, with the lone exception of an unclear structure in interview assessment among participants who had a BPD diagnosis. Results have implications regarding the nature, assessment, and treatment of BPD.