Age differences in DSM-IV borderline personality disorder symptom expression: Results from a national study using item response theory (IRT). (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McMahon, Kibby; Hoertel, Nicolas; Peyre, Hugo; Blanco, Carlos; Fang, Caitlin; Limosin, Frédéric
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 110(2019)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Borderline personality disorder -- Symptoms -- Age differences -- Item response theory (IRT) -- Differential item functioning (DIF) -- National study; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.12.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Limited literature suggests that there may be age-related differences in borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptom expression. The present study used item response theory (IRT) methods to examine whether there are age differences in the likelihood of endorsing DSM-IV symptoms of BPD, when equating for levels of BPD symptom severity. Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of adults in the US ( n = 34, 653), the second wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). We found that 7 out of the 9 DSM-IV symptoms of BPD were age invariant. However, there were statistically and clinically significant differences between the oldest and youngest age groups in two BPD symptoms: oldest adult women were less likely to report suicidal/self-harm behavior than the youngest adult women across levels of BPD severity and unstable/intense interpersonal relationships discriminated BPD severity better in the youngest age group compared to the oldest age group in both genders. Overall, our findings indicate substantial age-related differences in BPD symptom expression. Mental health care providers should be alert to these two age-related differences in BPD symptom expression when making assessment and treatment decisions across adult age groups. Highlights: We studied age differences in borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptom expression. There were significant age differences for 2 out of the 9 DSM-IV BPD symptoms. 7 out of the 9 DSM-IV BPD symptoms were age invariant. BPD may partially differ among youngest and oldest adults.