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Validation of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-C) and for Parents (BPFS-P) for the Portuguese Population

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Abstract

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe disorder characterized by impulsivity, instability, emotional dysregulation and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). These features might be identified in adolescence and develop over time. Early identification is the first step to prevent the development of borderline features to a personality disorder. The purpose of this study was to validate the Portuguese versions of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-C) and the Borderline Personality Features Scales for Parents (BPFS-P). The psychometric properties of the scales were tested in two samples of adolescents (N = 256; N = 441) and a sample of parents (N = 259). Each scales’ confirmatory factor analysis revealed the same unidimensional structure of the original versions, showing adequate fit indices and an acceptable internal consistency. Correlation results demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity for both versions. Measurement invariance of the BPFS-C across sex showed configural, metric and partial scalar invariance. Overall, the BPFS-C and BPFS-P are both valid and reliable measures to assess borderline features in adolescents. Employing them in clinical and educational settings might contribute to early detection and initial referral to adequate treatment.

Highlights

  • The BPFS-C and BPFS-P are valid and reliable measures to assess borderline features in the Portuguese adolescent population.

  • Measurement invariance of the BPFS-C across sex revealed configural and metric invariance and partial scalar invariance.

  • Both scales complement each other in the assessment of borderline features in adolescents and have the advantage of being short and quick to complete.

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Acknowledgements

This investigation has been supported by the Ph.D. Grant (grant number: SFRH/BD/129985/2017) of the first author, sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Diogo Carreiras, Mafalda Loureiro, Marina Cunha & Paula Castilho

  2. University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    Carla Sharp

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  1. Diogo Carreiras
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  2. Mafalda Loureiro
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  3. Marina Cunha
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  4. Carla Sharp
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Contributions

D.C.: collected data, conducted the data analyses, and wrote the paper. M.L.: collaborated with the data collection and writing of the paper. M.C.: reviewed the final manuscript. C.S.: reviewed the final manuscript. P.C.: collaborated with the design and reviewed the final manuscript

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Correspondence to Diogo Carreiras.

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All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Data Protection of Portugal (number: 6713/ 2018) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Carreiras, D., Loureiro, M., Cunha, M. et al. Validation of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-C) and for Parents (BPFS-P) for the Portuguese Population. J Child Fam Stud 29, 3265–3275 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01800-7

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