Efficient screening and outcome assessment for borderline personality disorder: A psychometric evaluation of the uBPDc

There is a need for a brief and psychometrically sound questionnaire to assess borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptomatology that can serve both as a screening tool and outcome measure. We conducted a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of a shortened version of the validated BPD Checklist, the Ultrashort BPD Checklist (uBPDc). Data from 204 individuals diagnosed with BPD, 57 individuals diagnosed with Cluster-C personality disorder, and 103 non-clinical controls were analysed. As an initial step, we determined the final item composition, with separate items to index the presence or absence of intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (DSM-5 BPD criterion 8), and of paranoid ideation or dissociation (DSM-5 BPD criterion 9). The final 11-item version demonstrated strong internal consistency, and our findings provide consistent support for its concurrent and known-group validity. The uBPDc also showed satisfactory diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity to change. The one-factor structure of the uBPDc was confirmed by factor analysis. Measurement invariance was subsequently assessed across individuals with BPD and non-clinical controls, revealing support for partial measurement invariance. To conclude, the uBPDc demonstrated strong psychometric properties and thus makes for an efficient tool for screening and outcome assessment in BPD.