Borderline Personality Disorder: Assessment from an Integrative Dimensional and Categorical Perspective

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the psychometric properties of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) subscale of the Scale of Externalizing Behavior Problems in Adults (SEPBA-BPD). This instrument is designed to assess BPD from an integrative perspective, incorporating both continuous and categorical approaches. The sample comprised 749 adult participants, including individuals from the general population and those in confinement. Three factorial models were evaluated to determine the dimensionality of the scale, concluding that a one-dimensional model provided the most parsimonious fit. The findings demonstrated that the scale shows adequate discrimination indices, internal consistency, and convergent validity in relation to external measures of Borderline Personality Disorder. Additionally, guidelines for item dichotomization were established and validated using Item Response Theory to optimize cut-off points based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, thereby enhancing the instrument’s clinical utility. The results support the utility of the SEPBA-BPD as a versatile instrument for assessing Borderline Personality Disorder in both clinical and research settings, offering a comprehensive and multimodal approach to personality disorder assessment.