Assessment of Borderline Features in Inpatient Adolescents: Relationships between MMPI-A Dimensional PSY-5 Traits and MACI and PAI-A Borderline Scales

This study explored self-report assessment strategies for borderline pathology with inpatient adolescents utilizing a dimensional personality trait perspective. Relationships between the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) Borderline Tendency Personality Pattern scales, Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI–A) Borderline Features scales, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–Adolescent (MMPI–A) Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) facet scales were examined. Results indicated a strong relationship between all of the Borderline Scales across the MACI and PAI–A. The congruence between the MACI Borderline Tendency Personality Pattern scale and PAI–A Borderline Features scale was examined to determine the degree to which the two measures identified the same adolescents as having borderline pathology. Results demonstrated a fair level of agreement between the two instruments with respect to the identification of borderline pathology at a clinically significant level. Relationships between the MMPI–A PSY-5 facet scales and adolescent borderline pathology were examined to determine if certain personality traits are predictive of borderline pathology as measured by the MACI and PAI–A Borderline Scales. The nine PSY-5 facet scales were the predictor variables and the MACI and PAI–A Borderline scales were the criterion variables. A general pattern was observed wherein certain trait facets (Hostility, Delinquent Behaviors and Attitudes, Low Drive, and Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality) emerged as unique predictors of borderline pathology across measures.

Keywords: PAI–A, MACI, MMPI–A PSY-5, adolescent, borderline, personality