Examining Change Using the MMPI-2-RF in a Multicenter RCT on BPD: Data from the BOOTS Project

This study investigates psychological change in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) using the MMPI-2-RF within the context of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), as part of the BOOTS project. A sample of 81 participants completed pretreatment and follow-up MMPI-2-RF (36 months later) and satisfied the standard MMPI-2-RF validity criteria. Change versus stability was examined in terms of mean levels as well as individual relative rankings over time, and reliable change indices. In general, moderate to large mean effect-sizes were observed across the hierarchy of the MMPI-2-RF scales, which were quite consistent in pattern with the recent BOOTS outcome paper, albeit with smaller effect-sizes. In terms of rank order stability and proportion attaining reliable change, generally more patients shifted position on internalizing scales than on externalizing scales, but this may in part be an artifact of more historical items on the latter. Although the present study is specific to individuals meeting criteria for BPD, we argue that inspection of the MMPI-2-RF pattern of change may have more broad clinical utility in profiling change in psychopathology over time or treatment.