[Personality structure and clinical severity of borderline personality disorder].

OBJECTIVES To correlate personality structure and clinical severity of borderline personality disorder. METHODS Based on data from a sample of 104 female patients with borderline personality disorder, we computed bivariate correlations and group comparisons using the scales from the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO) as well as indicators of clinical severity of the disorder (axis-II comorbidity, suicide attempts, self-destructive behaviour, service utilization). RESULTS Patients with a clinically more severe disorder revealed a worse level of personality structure. Specific associations between dimensions of personality structure and phenomenology were found. CONCLUSIONS The diagnoses of personality structure and of phenomenology complement each other and should be combined in clinical settings as well as for research purposes.