[A comparative study on personality characteristics in individuals with borderline intellectual functioning].

BACKGROUND

Few studies have been conducted on personality traits and psychopathology in females and males with borderline intellectual functioning.

AIM

Examining gender differences in psychopathology and behavioral characteristics in patients with borderline intellectual functioning, and patients with average intellectual functioning.

METHOD

The MMPI-2-RF was administered to 116 patients with borderline intellectual functioning and psychopathology. Average raw scores on the Restructured Clinical Scales (RC-scales) of female and male patients with borderline intellectual functioning were compared to those of a matched group from the general population, and a matched group with patients with mental disorders and average intelligence. The average raw scores on the RC-scales were compared between males and females with borderline intellectual functioning and between females and males across the various groups.

RESULTS

Female patients with borderline intellectual functioning reported more symptoms on RC-scales related to internalizing emotional problems than male patients with borderline intellectual functioning. They reported significantly more complaints on RC-scales related to externalizing problems and thought disorders compared to average intelligent females with mental disorders. Several significant differences between female and male patients with borderline intellectual functioning were greater than within the other groups. We found no significant differences in behavioral characteristics and symptoms between male patients with borderline intellectual functioning and average intelligent males with mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the importance of gender sensitivity in the multi-method assessment and treatment of psychopathology in patients with borderline intellectual functioning. Female patients with borderline intellectual functioning constitute the most vulnerable group in terms of nature and severity of psychopathology.