Factor analysis of the DSM-III-R borderline personality disorder criteria in psychiatric inpatients

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the factor structure of th e DSM-III-R criteria for borderline personality disorder in young adult psy chiatric inpatients. Method: The authors assessed 141 acutely ill inpatients with the Personalit y Disorder Examination, a semistructured diagnostic interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders. They used correlational analyses to examine the ass ociations among the different criteria for borderline personality disorder and performed an exploratory factor analysis. Results: Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the borderline personality disord er criteria was 0.69. A principal components factor analysis with a varimax rotation accounted for 57.2% of the variance and revealed three homogeneou s factors. These factors were disturbed relatedness (unstable relationships , identity disturbance, and chronic emptiness); behavioral dysregulation (i mpulsivity and suicidal/self-mutilative behavior); and affective dysregulat ion (affective instability, inappropriate anger, and efforts to avoid aband onment). Conclusions: Exploratory factor analysis revealed three homogeneous compone nts of borderline personality disorder that may represent personality, beha vioral, and affective features central to the disorder. Recognition of thes e components may inform treatment plans.