[Preliminary experience with the SCID-5-AMPD clinical interview in clinical and non-clinical adolescent samples]

With the increasing prominence of the alternative, dimensional model of personality disorders, developmental aspects have also gained importance in the diagnosis of personality disorders. Researchers and practicing clinicians are paying growing attention to adolescents showing signs of disharmonious personality development. Although the study of personality pathology in adolescence remains a debated area both domestically and internationally, timely and appropriate diagnostics can form the basis for adequate therapy. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (SCID-5-AMPD) is recommended for assessing adolescents with signs of disharmonious personality development. However, to the best of our knowledge, the SCID-5-AMPD has not yet been applied in adolescent populations in Hungary. The aim of our study is to administer the SCID-5-AMPD to a psychiatric adolescent sample at risk for disharmonious personality development aged 14 and older, as well as to a control group without psychiatric diagnoses.

Our study has been approved by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Health Scientific Council (reference number: BM/9184-1/2024). Considering the developmental characteristics of adolescence, our research focuses on a dimensional approach, i.e., exploring the functioning of personality and the degree of maladaptive personality traits. Therefore, the first and second modules of the SCID-5-AMPD were administered. After obtaining written informed consent from both the guardian and the adolescent, the adolescents and their parents completed a questionnaire package, followed by the administration of the first two modules of the SCID-5-AMPD with the adolescent. Written notes were taken during the interviews. The clinical sample included 14 participants, while the control group consisted of 17 participants. The study involved 8 boys (25.8%) and 23 girls (74.2%), with a mean age of 16.06 years (SD = 1.24 years).

The items proved to be understandable and relevant for adolescents. Feedback from adolescents with disharmonious personality development indicated that the structured format of the interview and the coherence created by the standardized questions helped them better understand their otherwise hard-to-define difficulties. The duration of the interviews varied widely. Interviewers were able to learn how to administer a structured clinical interview, apply the concepts of the SCID-AMPD, and gain a closer understanding of the dimensional approach to personality disorders and its practical application.

Based on our preliminary experience, the first two modules of the SCID-5-AMPD may be applicable for assessing adolescents. Further investigation of its psychometric properties among Hungarian adolescents is essential for future use.