This study explored the characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder classification, specified in DSM-III. MMPI profiles of 29 male veteran inpatients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder were compared with the profiles of 26 similar inpatients with diagnoses of other personality disorders. The borderline group had higher elevations (p less than .05) on six of the 13 standard MMPI scales. Analyses showed the borderline profiles to be of a significantly higher elevation but no different in either profile shape or dispersion. A discriminant analysis accounted for 43.7% of the variance and correctly classified 78.2% of the patients. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations for the high F scores of the borderline group. Implications regarding characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder are discussed.

This study was designed to identify the intensity of borderline personality traits in a large sample of psychiatric inpatients (n = 4,800) and to determine the relationship between the borderline traits and a variety of demographic variables. Results indicated the intensity of borderline pathology increased in (1) students or the unemployed, (2) married and separated patients, (3) patients with a criminal record, (4) atheists, and (5) patients from a broken home. It lessened with increasing age of the patient. There was no relation between race or level of education and intensity of borderline traits. Findings are discussed in terms of previous empirical studies and the existent theoretical literature.

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Research on the family of the borderline patient has been largely descriptive or anecdotal. This work was designed to provide data on the families of 26 patients fulfilling stringent criteria for borderline personality disorder. A standardized scoring instrument recorded the impressions of the adult borderline of his family experience during childhood and adolescence. The male parental figure was perceived as dominant significantly more often than the female figure. Female figures manifested significantly more affection toward the borderline child. Family relations tended to be perceived as deteriorating and to be more conflictual as the borderline patient aged. Results were discussed in terms of the developmental psychology, genetics, and existent family research on the borderline patient.