A Systematic Review on the applications of Borderline-Symptom List (BSL-23) a self-report measure for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder

Wolak, Milena, Firth, Jessica, Blake-Holmes, Kate and Beazley, Peter (2026) A Systematic Review on the applications of Borderline-Symptom List (BSL-23) a self-report measure for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder. Clinical Psychologist. ISSN 1328-4207

Microsoft Word (OpenXML) (Wolak et al Manuscript 2025 accepted version) - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Objective: The Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23) was developed to provide a relatively brief and objective measure of BPD symptomatology. This review aims to provide a synthesis of how the measure has been used in practice, with what populations, research questions and methodologies, and to review its known reliability across these populations. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching relevant databases for studies which had used the BSL-23 with an adult BPD sample. Results were analysed narratively, and a meta-analysis of reported reliability coefficients was conducted. Results: 29 studies comprising 3,492 participants were included. Most studies were conducted in Germany or Spain. Results indicated an overrepresentation of younger women. Notably, there is no evidence of a published validation of an English language version. Meta-analysis of Cronbach’s alpha suggests very high reliability, possibly hinting at a narrow conceptualisation of assessed symptoms. Discussion: The BSL-23 remains a versatile tool. It has been applied in diverse settings for various purposes in a range of study designs. Clinicians and researchers need to be aware of the settings in which the BSL-23 has been used less frequently, with the current review making a number of recommendations for future research to fill the most important gaps.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article has been prepared as part of a doctoral thesis portfolio titled Borderline Personality Disorder: A review of the use of the BSL-23 measure and an experimental study of detention decision-making by Approved Mental Health Professionals under the Mental Health Act.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	bpd,bsl-23,borderline personality disorder,borderline symptom list,self-report measure,clinical psychology ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3203
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Social Work Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2026 10:30
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2026 08:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101980
DOI:	10.1080/13284207.2026.2621336

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item