Psychometric properties of the Borderline Symptom List (BSL).
BACKGROUND
The Borderline Symptom List (BSL) was developed as a self-rating instrument to specifically quantify borderline-typical symptomatology. The items are based on the criteria of the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic Interview for Borderline Personality Disorder - revised version, the opinions of clinical experts and borderline patients. The psychometric properties and validity of the BSL have been investigated in several studies.


METHODS
A total of 380 borderline patients and 204 healthy controls scored the items. A factor analysis of the BSL items suggests the following subscales: 'self-perception', 'affect regulation', 'self-destruction', 'dysphoria', 'loneliness', 'intrusions' and 'hostility'.


RESULTS
The internal reliability as well as the test-retest reliability within 1 week are high. Different aspects of validity (e.g. comparison between groups) provide favorable results. Pre-post comparisons after 3 months of dialectical behavioral treatment reveal a significant reduction of the total score and of 5 of the 7 subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
This indicates that the BSL is sensitive to therapeutically induced change of borderline-typical impairment.
Bohus
Martin
M
Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. martin.bohus@zi-mannheim.de
Limberger
Matthias F
MF
Frank
Ulrike
U
Chapman
Alexander L
AL
Kühler
Thomas
T
Stieglitz
Rolf-Dieter
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome