Subjective emptiness represents a distressing psychological state where individuals feel persistently unfulfilled and disconnected from their surroundings. While clinicians historically associated this symptom with borderline personality disorder (BPD), research now classifies it as a transdiagnostic construct linked to severe psychosocial impairment. To improve diagnostic precision, researchers developed the Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES) as a concise, five-item tool for targeted clinical assessment.

Validating the Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES) in Italy

A recent study investigated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Subjective Emptiness Scale across two distinct populations. First, researchers examined a large nonclinical sample comprising 1,204 participants to establish baseline metrics. Furthermore, they successfully replicated these findings within a clinical group of 177 individuals diagnosed with various personality disorders. Notably, the results indicated that the Italian SES maintains a stable, unidimensional structure that functions consistently across both male and female patients.

Clinical Relevance and Overlap with Depression

The study confirmed that the Italian version of the SES demonstrates strong internal consistency and aligns with conceptually related constructs like identity disturbance. However, data also revealed a significant empirical overlap between subjective emptiness and depressive symptoms. Consequently, while the Subjective Emptiness Scale remains a reliable instrument, clinicians must carefully distinguish persistent emptiness from primary depression during evaluation. Understanding these conceptual boundaries is essential for developing targeted therapeutic interventions and improving long-term treatment outcomes for personality pathology.

FAQs

What is the Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES)?

The Subjective Emptiness Scale is a five-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure core feelings of internal void and lack of meaning. It serves as a transdiagnostic tool applicable across various psychiatric diagnoses, including personality disorders and mood disorders.

Why is the SES important for psychiatric assessment?

Because emptiness is a central mechanism in personality pathology and a predictor of adverse outcomes like suicidality, the SES provides a standardized way to quantify this experience. This measurement helps clinicians monitor treatment progress and identify patients requiring specific emotional regulation strategies.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.

References

1. Di Leonardo L et al. Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Subjective Emptiness Scale in nonclinical and clinical samples. Personal Disord. 2026 May 14. doi: 10.1037/per0000772. PMID: 42133396.


2. Price AL, Mahler HIM, Hopwood CJ. Construction and validation of a self-report subjective emptiness scale. Assessment. 2022 Apr;29(3):397-409. doi: 10.1177/1073191120968275.


3. Ellison WD, et al. The place of subjective emptiness in the structure of personality. PMC - NIH. 2024. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11617478/