Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Subjective Emptiness Scale in nonclinical and clinical samples

Subjective emptiness is a state characterized by persistent feelings of unfulfillment and disconnection from the external world. Traditionally associated with borderline personality disorder, subjective emptiness is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic construct linked to adverse clinical outcomes and substantial psychosocial impairment. Despite its relevance, specific instruments for assessing this construct remain scarce. To address this gap, Price et al. (2022) developed the Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES), a five-item self-report measure designed to capture the core features of emptiness. Study 1 examined the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the SES in a nonclinical sample of 1,204 participants (71.3% female; M_age = 30.79, SD = 11.31). Study 2 aimed to replicate these findings in a clinical sample of 177 individuals diagnosed with personality disorders (56% female; M_age = 33.22, SD = 11.71). Results from both studies indicated that the Italian version of the SES demonstrated a stable unidimensional structure, full measurement invariance across sex, and good internal consistency across general and clinical populations. SES scores also exhibited the expected pattern of correlations with conceptually related constructs. However, its incremental validity beyond depressive symptoms appeared questionable, suggesting a substantial overlap between subjective emptiness and depression-related experiences. Accurate assessment of subjective emptiness may contribute to a more refined understanding of its role as a central psychological mechanism in personality pathology and inform the development of targeted interventions, ultimately improving treatment outcomes. Future research should clarify the conceptual and empirical boundaries between emptiness and depression to improve measurement precision. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).