An investigation of the prototype validity of the borderline DSM-IV construct.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prototype validity of the borderline personality disorder (BPD) DSM-IV construct.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Johansen
M
M
Research Institute, Modum Bad, Vikersund, Norway. merejoha@online.no
Karterud
S
S
Pedersen
G
G
Gude
T
T
Falkum
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011582:Psychological Theory; D015203:Reproducibility of Results