Psychopathology in borderline intellectual functioning : explorations in secondary mental health care

The term Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to intellectual functioning between normal intellectual functioning and intellectual disability (ID). It is defined as an intelligence quotient (IQ) between 1 and 2 standard deviations below the mean on the normal curve of intelligence; an IQ between 70 and 85. It has been shown that compared to people with higher IQs (IQ > 85) and possibly also compared to those with lower IQs (IQ< 70), children and adults with BIF are at increased risk for the development of mental health problems. But, as a group they are understudied. More knowledge about psychopathology in this group is needed. It was the aim of this thesis to learn more about the nature and severity of psychiatric symptoms and psychiatric disorders in secondary mental health care outpatients with BIF. We used anonymised diagnostic information recorded in the official registration system of the electronic patient file, we investigated the utility and psychometric properties of the BSI and we then used ROM data from both patients from regular mental health care and patients with BIF and/or mild ID to look at symptom profiles and prognostic factors of treatment.