Severity Benchmarks for the Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0) in Polish Adults

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0) screens for personality disorders per DSM-5 and ICD-11.
• Reliable cut-off scores for the LPFS-BF 2.0 are needed for clinical decision-making in diverse populations.
• This study addresses the lack of established benchmarks for the LPFS-BF 2.0 in the Polish population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop severity benchmarks for the LPFS-BF 2.0 in a Polish adult sample.
• To utilize an item response theory (IRT) approach for creating these benchmarks.
• To validate the developed benchmarks for clinical utility.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 530 Polish adults completed the LPFS-BF 2.0, assessed personality traits, and provided data on psychiatric history and psychotherapy seeking.
• Item response theory (IRT) models were employed to develop severity benchmarks.
• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the scale's unidimensionality.

Main Results:

• Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure for the LPFS-BF 2.0.
• The IRT analysis confirmed satisfactory item functioning.
• Normative thresholds were established, showing significant differences in pathological personality traits and psychotherapy seeking based on LPFS-BF 2.0 scores.

Conclusions:

• IRT-based cut-offs for the LPFS-BF 2.0 effectively identify individuals with high pathological personality traits, particularly disinhibition.
• The developed severity benchmarks enhance the interpretation of LPFS-BF 2.0 scores for clinical diagnosis and decision-making in Poland.
• These benchmarks have practical implications for healthcare professionals and researchers working with the Polish population.