Examining the Validity of the Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire for Adolescents Aged 12-18 (LOPF-Q 12-18): A Replication and Extension With a Sample of Lithuanian Adolescents.

With the shift to the dimensional model of personality pathology, the need for measures assessing personality functioning in adolescence has emerged. The Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire 12-18 (LoPF-Q 12-18) was developed specifically for adolescents, tailoring the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders in the Using the Lithuanian LoPF-Q 1218, we further investigate its validity by reexamining its factorial structure and extending convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity analyses. A total of 1,048 community-based and clinically referred 12-18-year-old adolescents completed the LoPF-Q 12-18 along with other self-report measures of personality pathology, psychopathological symptoms, and psychosocial functioning.

Prospective prediction of treatment outcomes in adolescents: A head-to-head comparison of alternative model for personality disorder versus borderline personality disorder.

Despite substantial evidence in support of the alternative model for personality disorder (AMPD) that has accumulated over the last decade, a gap remains in terms of head-to-head comparisons of the predictive power of Section II categorical diagnoses versus Section III AMPD diagnoses for clinical outcomes. The current study uses archival data from a naturalistic treatment outcome study in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient sample to compare the predictive power of the Section III AMPD (combined Criterion A and B assessment) versus Section II borderline personality disorder (BPD) in predicting treatment outcomes from admission to discharge. Outcomes in general psychiatric severity and emotion dysregulation were assessed in a sample of 59 adolescents (76.

First Psychometric Evaluation of the English Version of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning (STiP-5.1).

The Alternative Model for Personality Disorders provides a dimensional framework for the conceptualization of personality disorders where Criterion A concerns the assessment of one's level of personality functioning (LPF). This study examines the psychometric properties of the English translation of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning (STiP-5.1) to validate this translation for the assessment of LPF in English-speaking populations; and examine whether this measure increments self-report measures of LPF and personality pathology in predicting general functioning.

Maternal Borderline Personality Disorder Severity and Parenting Behaviors During Conflict Discussions With Adolescent Offspring.

Examining the impact of maternal borderline personality disorder (BPD) on parent-child interactions could elucidate pathways of intergenerational risk and inform intervention. The current study used an expanded version of the Observing Mediational Interactions to investigate (a) associations between maternal BPD symptom severity and mediational parenting behaviors during conflict discussions with clinically referred early adolescent offspring ( = 56, age = 10-15, 54% female) and their mothers, and (b) the potential moderating role of early adolescent BPD symptom severity in those associations. Consistent with hypotheses, mothers with higher levels of BPD symptom severity engaged in fewer positive emotional/attachment-based behaviors and more negative (i.

Psychometric properties of the Observing Mediational Interactions (OMI) coding system during mother-adolescent conflict discussions.

Background: Observational assessments of parent-adolescent conflict can guide interventions to prevent and reduce conflict and mental health problems. The authors identified the Observing Mediational Interactions (OMI) as a particularly useful coding system for examining parent-adolescent conflict. The OMI is the observational measure used in the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) and quantifies emotional (attachment-based) and cognitive (learning-based) behaviors during caregiver-child interactions.

Operationalizing intimacy and identity aspects of personality functioning in relation to personality disorder in adolescents.

According to dimensional models of personality pathology, deficits in interpersonal (intimacy and empathy) and self (identity and self-direction) function (Criterion A) are core to all personality disorders. These aspects of personality functioning (Criterion A) have seldom been evaluated for how they might relate to one another in the context of personality pathology in adolescents. Moreover, the use of performance-based measures to evaluate aspects of Criterion A function remains an untapped resource.

Attitudes, Clinical Practices, and Perceived Advocacy Needs of Professionals With Interests in Personality Disorders.

Experts in personality disorders (PDs) generally prefer dimensional diagnostic systems to categorical ones, but less is known about experts' attitudes toward personality pathology diagnoses in adolescents, and little is known about public health shortfalls and advocacy needs and how these might differ geographically. To fill these gaps, the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders surveyed 248 professionals with interests in PDs about their attitudes toward different diagnostic systems for adults and adolescents, their PD-related clinical practices, and perceived advocacy needs in their area. Results suggested that dimensional diagnostic systems are preferable to categorical and that skepticism about personality pathology in adolescents may not be warranted.

Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire 12-18 (LoPF-Q 12-18): Factor Structure, Validity, and Clinical Cut-Offs.

The Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire 12-18 (LoPF-Q 12-18) is the only self-report measure informed by the Level of Personality Functioning ( [5th ed.; ; American Psychiatric Association, 2013]) Alternative Model of Personality Disorders developed for adolescents. The present investigation includes two studies evaluating the English LoPF-Q 12-18.

Does coding internal working models of attachment have to be so hard?

The Child Attachment Interview (CAI) has demonstrated promise in youth, yet widespread use is thwarted by the need for interview transcription, face-to-face training, and reliability certification. The present study sought to examine the empirical basis for these barriers. Thirty-five archival CAIs were re-coded by: (1) expert coders (i.

Maternal interpersonal problems and attachment security in adolescent offspring.

Background: Research on parent-level factors linked to adolescent attachment security would inform interventions to prevent or reduce youth psychopathology and other negative outcomes. The current study examined one relevant parent-level variable: maternal interpersonal problems. Interpersonal problems, a key characteristic of personality pathology, are well described by the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) and have been shown to be associated with maladaptive adult attachment in close/romantic relationships; however, studies have not examined relationships with offspring attachment.

The incremental utility of maladaptive self and identity functioning over general functioning for borderline personality disorder features in adolescents.

A debate has emerged regarding the nature of Level of Personality Functioning (LPF; Criterion A) of the alternative model of personality disorder. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the distinctiveness of an aspect of LPF, namely, maladaptive self and identity function, from general psychosocial disability by evaluating its incremental utility over that of general psychosocial disability for personality disorder in adolescents. To this end, a measure of maladaptive self and identity function was administered alongside measures of general psychiatric impairment, peer problems, life satisfaction, and academic functioning in 2 samples of adolescents: a community-dwelling sample ( = 379; = 14.

Interpersonal Problems in Parents and Adolescent Borderline Personality Disorder Features.

Research shows that parental personality pathology is associated with borderline personality disorder features and internalizing/externalizing symptoms in offspring. However, studies have been limited by -based assessments of parental personality pathology. The authors leveraged evidence that interpersonal problems described by the Interpersonal Circumplex align with Criterion A of the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders and therefore used a measure of interpersonal problems to capture parental personality pathology.

Validation of the Emotional Tone Index for Families (ETIF): A Multi-Informant Measure of Emotional Closeness.

Despite the importance of emotional closeness (EC) in families, few researchers have accurately measured the construct in a systemic way. Additionally, existing measures rely on ratings from one informant, typically the mother, to provide information on closeness within the entire family system. We examined EC in 140 individuals (37 families) using the Emotional Tone Index for Families (ETIF), a novel, multi-informant measure that obtains bidirectional information about EC within every family relationship.

Barriers to care for adolescents with borderline personality disorder.

Intervention for borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescence is crucial as early onset of the disorder predicts more severe course, and intervention 'late' in the course of the disorder is associated with more negative outcomes. In spite of this, access to services is poor. This is because several unique barriers to accessing care exist for adolescents with BPD.

DSM-5 anxious distress specifier in patients with bipolar depression.

Background: DSM-5 introduced the anxious distress specifier in recognition of the significance of anxiety in patients who are depressed. Studies have supported the validity of the specifier in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we examined the validity of the specifier in patients with bipolar depression.

Is the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier sufficient for measuring anxiety in depressed patients? Implications for measurement-based care.

Background: We examined whether a self-report measure of the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier, the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale Anxious Distress Specifier Subscale (CUDOS-A), was as valid as a broader measure of the severity of anxiety, the Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale (CUXOS), in patients with depression.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-four patients with major depressive disorder were administered a semi-structured interview. The patients completed self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and irritability.

How should the severity of depression be rated on self-report depression scales?

Almost all depression measures have been developed without discussing how to best conceptualize and assess the severity of depression. The most valid rating format of depression severity scales is unsettled and has been little studied. In the present study from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we compared the validity of alternative approaches towards rating the severity of depressive symptoms.

The Privileged Status of Knowing Mechanistic Information: An Early Epistemic Bias.

Four studies with 180 5-7 year olds, 165 8-11 year olds and 199 adults show that young children appreciate the distinctive role played by mechanistic explanations in tracking causal patterns. Young children attributed greater knowledge to individuals offering mechanistic reasons for a claim than others who provide equally detailed nonmechanistic reasons. In Study 1, 5-7 year olds attributed greater knowledge to those offering mechanistic reasons.

Should childhood conduct disorder be necessary to diagnose antisocial personality disorder in adults?

Background: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is the only DSM personality disorder that requires a diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD) during childhood. Previous research comparing adults diagnosed with ASPD with adults who meet all ASPD criteria except for a history of CD (referred to in this study as adult antisocial syndrome [AAS]) have reported mixed results. This study sought to clarify the differences among adults with ASPD, adults with AAS, and a large psychiatric outpatient control group.

Reliability and validity of a self-report scale for daily assessments of the severity of anxiety symptoms.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of rapidly effective treatments it is necessary to use measures that are designed to assess symptom severity over short intervals. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we modified our previously published anxiety scale and examined the reliability and validity of a daily version of the Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale (CUXOS-D, D indicates daily version).

Methods: Two thousand four hundred and ninety-one patients presenting for treatment to a partial hospital program completed the CUXOS-D as part of their initial paperwork and on a daily basis thereafter.

What is anxious depression? Overlap and agreement between different definitions.

Anxiety is common in depressed patients. However, a problem with the research on the significance of anxiety in depressed patients is that anxiety has been characterized in different ways. Little research has examined the concordance and overlap between the various definitions of anxious depression.

Validity of the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier for major depressive disorder.

Background: DSM-5 introduced the anxious distress specifier in recognition of the clinical significance of anxiety in depressed patients. Recent studies that supported the validity of the specifier did not use measures that were designed to assess the criteria of the specifier but instead approximated the DSM-5 criteria from scales that were part of an existing data base. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we examined the validity of the specifier diagnosed with a semistructured interview.

Depression and substance use disorders in the offspring of depressed parents as a function of the parent's borderline personality disorder symptomatology.

Background: Parental major depressive disorder (MDD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are associated with increased risk of offspring psychopathology. It is unclear whether BPD in depressed parents infers greater risk than depression alone. We hypothesized that BPD features in depressed parents would be associated with higher morbid risk of offspring MDD and substance use disorders (SUDs).