Understanding the Heterogeneity of BPD Symptoms through Latent Class Analysis: Initial Results and Clinical Correlates among Inner-city Substance Users
Abstract
The current study investigated the heterogeneity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms in a sample of 382 inner-city, predominantly African-American male substance users through the use of Latent Class Analysis (LCA). A 4-class model was statistically preferred, with one class interpreted to be a “baseline” class, one class interpreted to be a “high BPD” class, and two classes interpreted as intermediate classes. As a secondary goal, we examined the resulting BPD classes in respect to relevant clinical correlates, including: temperamental vulnerabilities (affective instability, impulsivity, and interpersonal instability), childhood emotional abuse, drug choice, and co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders. The high BPD class evidenced the highest levels of the temperamental vulnerabilities and environmental stressors, the baseline class evidenced the lowest levels, and the two intermediate classes fell in between. Additionally, the high BPD class had a higher probability of cocaine and alcohol dependence, as well as mood and anxiety disorders than the baseline class. Rates of alcohol use and mood disorders for the intermediate classes fell in between the high BPD and the baseline class. Results are discussed in relation to the current diagnostic conceptualization of BPD.
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