BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER FEATURES IN NONCLINICAL YOUNG-ADULTS .1. IDENTIFICATION AND VALIDATION

Two studies were conducted that sought to (a) establish and validate a self-report method of identifying nonclinical young adults who present with significant borderline personality disorder (BPD) features and (b) evaluate the clinical correlates of this classification across a number of relevant areas of functioning. Specifically, the Personality Assessment Inventory Borderline Features Scale (PAI-BOR; Morey, 1991) was used to screen and select nonclinical participants whose scores indicated the presence of significant BPD features (B+ group) and participants whose scores indicated the relative absence of BPD features (B- group). B+ and B- participants were compared across a range of domains that are believed to be related to BPD in clinical samples (e.g., depression, personality traits, coping, Axis I disorders, interpersonal problems). Results supported the validity of this method of classification based on PAI-BOR scores and documented the level of dysfunction exhibited by the B+ participants.