Psychometric properties of the affect integration inventory - short form in a sample of patients with personality disorder

Christina Frederiksen; Gry Kjaersdam Telléus; Ole André Solbakken

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1191752

Psychometric properties of the affect integration inventory - short form in a sample of patients with personality disorder

Front Psychol. 2023 Oct 31:14:1191752. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1191752. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Christina Frederiksen¹, Gry Kjaersdam Telléus^{1

2}, Ole André Solbakken³

Affiliations

¹ Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
² Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
³ Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract

Introduction: Affect integration comprises the capacity to access and utilize the motivational and signal properties of affects. This capacity is essential for personal adjustment, mental health, and well-being. Affect integration is commonly operationalized through the Affect Integration Inventory. This study examines the psychometric properties of a short-form (AII-SF-42) of the instrument in a sample of patients with personality disorders (n = 87).

Methods: Analyses of internal-consistency reliability, along with standardized mean differences-, and associations between short- and long-forms are reported. Internal structure was assessed by confirmatory factor analyses and external criterion validity was addressed by tests of associations between the AII-SF-42-scale scores and measures of alexithymia, symptom distress, interpersonal problems and level of personality dysfunction.

Results: The study demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity for scores derived from the AII-SF-42, including acceptable internal consistency and strong correspondence with long-form scores, a consistent factor structure organized according to discrete affects, and systematic patterns of convergent and discriminant associations with external measures.

Conclusion: Taken together, the results of the study demonstrate that in clinical settings, including patients with personality disorders the AII-SF-42 is a valid and useful alternative to the full-length version of the instrument.

Keywords: affect consciousness; affect integration; affect integration inventory; affect integration inventory – short form; emotional dysfunction; personality disorder.