THE BORDERLINE-SYNDROME-INDEX - A VALIDATION-STUDY USING THE PERSONALITY-ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

Background. This study examines the validity and screening properties of the Borderline Syndrome Index - BSI (developed in the USA) for cate gories of the Personality Assessment Schedule - PAS (developed in the UK). Method. Patients were recruited by case control sampling. Chance corrected agreement between instruments and screening properties of th e BSI were calculated. Results. The BSI proved a moderately sensitive but non-specific screen. Questionnaire scores were highly correlated w ith symptom measures. Conclusions. The results do not support the vali dity of the BSI or its use as a screening instrument. BSI scores may b e distorted by current symptoms.