PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE BASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY (BPI) AMONG GHANAIAN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Background: Psychological testing and psychometrics are essential to understanding human behavior, yet most assessment tools were developed in Western contexts, raising questions about their applicability in African settings. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Basic Personality Inventory (BPI) among Ghanaian adolescents to assess its reliability, factorial structure, and construct validity. Method: A total of 200 adolescents (126 males, 74 females; aged 14–19 years) participated. The study employed a 2 (clinical status: clinical vs. nonclinical, gender: male vs. female) × 12 (BPI subscales) factorial design. Participants were drawn from secondary (junior and senior) schools, correctional institutions, and psychiatric hospitals. The BPI, a 240-item true–false inventory, was administered following standardized procedures. Statistical analyses included Cronbach’s alpha for reliability, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for construct validity, and MANOVA for group comparisons. Findings: The BPI demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α = .81). Three factors emerged—Psychiatric Symptomatology, Social Symptomatology, and Depression— consistent with prior Western findings. Significant differences were observed between clinical and nonclinical groups across most subscales (p < .001). Gender differences indicated higher Anxiety scores for females and higher Impulse Expression and Denial scores for males. Conclusion: The BPI demonstrated reliable and valid measurement properties within a Ghanaian adolescent population, confirming its cross-cultural applicability. These findings provide a foundation for culturally sensitive psychological assessment and intervention in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.