[Factorial and Convergent Validity of the Short Form of the "Questionnaire of Thoughts and Feelings" (QTF-14) for Borderline Personality Disorder]

The "Questionnaire of Thoughts and Feelings" (QTF) is being used as screening instrument as well as tool for treatment planning and treatment evaluation for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The primary goal of this study was the validation of the dimensional structure of the short version with 14 items, QTF-14. Additionally, item characteristics, reliability and evidence of convergent validity were examined. A diagnostically homogenous sample of patients with BPD (N=3035) of a psychosomatic clinic was presented with several self-assessment inventories, including the QTF-14. The expected single-factor model of the structure of the FGG showed unacceptable model fit indices (CFI=0.751; TLI=0.706; RMSEA=0.115; SRMR=0.073). Exploratory factor analysis showed evidence of two or three specific factors. In a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis, a bifactor model with two specific factors proved to be preferable (CFI=0.956; TLI=0.936; RMSEA=0.054; SRMR=0.034). The internal consistency of the total scale as well as the suggested subscales "Relationship Difficulties and Emotional Dysregulation" and "Autoaggression" was acceptable to good (ω=.81-.84; α=.79-.85). Associations with similar scales were as expected. Good psychometric properties of the QTF-14 can be confirmed in this study. Using the suggested subscales could support treatment planning.

Pathologische Dissoziation bei Patienten mit einer Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung

Trotz der hohen Relevanz dissoziativer Phänomene bei der Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) ist das Konzept der pathologischen Dissoziation bisher kaum in diesem Kontext untersucht worden. Zur Operationalisierung von pathologischer Dissoziation wurden diverse Indizes vorgeschlagen, deren klinische Nützlichkeit in der vorliegenden Studie ebenso untersucht wurde wie ihre Häufigkeit, klinischen Korrelate und prädiktive Bedeutung. Hierzu bearbeiteten 487 stationäre BPS-Patienten bei Aufnahme Selbstbeurteilungsverfahren zu Dissoziation (Dissociative Experiences Scale, DES-28) sowie allgemeiner und Borderline-typischer Pathologie (Gesundheitsfragebogen für Patienten [PHQ-D], Borderline Symptom Liste [BSL-95]). Diejenigen Patienten, die mindestens 6 Wochen an der stationären Dialektisch-Behavioralen Therapie (DBT) teilgenommen hatten, füllten am Ende erneut den PHQ‑D und die BSL-95 aus (n zwischen 342 und 361). Je nach Operationalisierung der Dissoziation litten zwischen knapp 20 % und 37 % der BPS-Patienten unter pathologischer Dissoziation. Diese war eng mit allgemeiner und Borderline-typischer Symptomatik bei Aufnahme assoziiert. Ein hohes Ausmaß an pathologischer Dissoziation zu Behandlungsbeginn prädizierte ein schlechteres symptombezogenes Therapieergebnis. Konsistent mit einer Vielzahl anderer Studien unterstreichen diese Befunde die Relevanz von Dissoziation bei der BPS. Die aus nur 8 Items der DES-28 bestehende DES-Taxon (DES-T) kann pathologische Dissoziation anwendungs- und auswertungsfreundlich erheben, erweist sich als mindestens ebenso relevant wie die DES-28 und hat für das symptombezogene Behandlungsergebnis sogar eine höhere prädiktive Relevanz. Daher empfiehlt sich ein Screening aller BPS-Patienten auf pathologische Dissoziation mit der DES‑T.

[Convergent and Factorial Validity of the Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale (IED-27) for Borderline Personality Disorder]

There is a growing consensus that emotion dysregulation is the defining feature of borderline personality disorder, but there are also persisting competing views on the pathology and dimensional structure of the disorder. The "Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale" (IED-27) is already being used for assessing patients with borderline personality disorder. The particular aim of this study was to gain evidence of the dimensional structure of the disorder by confirmatory factorial analysis. A heterogeneous sample of patients with borderline personality disorder (n=484), attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (n=191) and eating disorders (n=197) of a psychosomatic clinic were given general and specific self-assessment inventories via computer-assisted testing system, including the IED-27. Results showed a bifactor model with a general factor and three specific factors: "emotional dysregulation", "relationship difficulties" and "self-injuries and suicidal behaviours", to be the model with the best fit (ΔCFI=0,032). The internal consistency of the sample seems to be good (ω=0,83-0,93) and expected correlations to similar subscales could be proved. Good psychometric criteria of the IED-27 were replicated in this study. Prospectively, the subscales allow a more detailed representation and specific treatment planning.

A hierarchical analysis of the latent trait of borderline personality disorder and its possible clinical implications

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder which is accompanied by impaired functioning, complex psychosocial problems and incurs large costs. However, it rarely has been examined whether BPD symptoms form a hierarchical (Mokken) scale, which would imply that symptoms are ordered along a latent dimension of borderline severity. In this study the data from 1,198 inpatients of a psychosomatic clinic were examined. A non-parametric Mokken analysis was employed to investigate if the BPD symptoms measured by the impulsivity and emotion dysregulation scale (IES-27) formed a hierarchical scale. 16 of the 27 items, mainly regarding emotion dysregulation, formed a monotonous Mokken scale with a very strong hierarchy of BPD symptoms. These results imply that single BPD symptoms provide information about BPD severity, suggesting several important consequences regarding escalation of BPD, diagnosis and treatment, e.g. how to optimize treatment planning.