Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0: Factor Structure and Clinical Cutoffs.

Abstract

The Alternative Model for Personality Disorders identifies the level of personality functioning (LPF) as the entry criterion for personality disorder. The Level of Personality Functioning-Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0) has demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, although mixed evidence on its factor structure and the lack of established clinical cutoffs limit its utility. In the present study, we first examined the factor structure of the LPFS-BF 2.0 using data from 365 young adults. Next, we examined the measure's convergent and discriminant validity, clinical utility, and cutoff score in a mixed college (n = 94) and clinical (n = 70) sample. Results revealed acceptable fit of a bifactor model with an essentially unidimensional structure and general support for convergent and discriminant validity. The LPFS-BF 2.0 distinguished those above versus below the clinical cutoff of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning with strong sensitivity and specificity. The LPFS-BF 2.0 appears psychometrically sound and clinically useful in capturing personality dysfunction.