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Published on: March 8, 2018
An investigation of the prototype validity of the borderline DSM-IV construct
M Johansen1, S Karterud, G Pedersen
1Research Institute, Modum Bad, Vikersund, Norway. merejoha@online.no
Objective:
To investigate the prototype validity of the borderline personality disorder (BPD) DSM-IV construct.
Method:
Patients (n = 930) from the Norwegian Network of Psychotherapeutic Day Hospitals. Exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses, correlation and reliability statistics, chi-square, and frequency distributions.
Results:
Number of BPD criteria showed no distinct threshold between No-BPD and BPD patients among whom 136 different combinations of criteria occurred. Both factor analyses supported that one component/latent variable accounted for the variance of the BPD criteria, showing a high convergent and discriminant validity. The criterion of unstable relationships displayed the highest diagnostic efficiency, and that of chronic feelings of emptiness the lowest.
Conclusion:
The prototype theoretical model for BPD fitted the data well and appeared to be satisfactory described by the current criteria. The emptiness criterion needs a more appropriate definition and the hierarchy of the criteria in DSM-IV should be revised.
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