Differentiated nomological networks of internalizing, externalizing, and the general factor of psychopathology (‘p factor’) in emerging adolescence in the ABCD study
Open Access
- 14 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Psychological Medicine
- Vol. 52 (14), 3051-3061
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291720005103
Abstract
Background Structural models of psychopathology consistently identify internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT) specific factors as well as a superordinate factor that captures their shared variance, the p factor. Questions remain, however, about the meaning of these data-driven dimensions and the interpretability and distinguishability of the larger nomological networks in which they are embedded. Methods The sample consisted of 10 645 youth aged 9–10 years participating in the multisite Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. p, INT, and EXT were modeled using the parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Patterns of associations were examined with variables drawn from diverse domains including demographics, psychopathology, temperament, family history of substance use and psychopathology, school and family environment, and cognitive ability, using instruments based on youth-, parent-, and teacher-report, and behavioral task performance. Results p exhibited a broad pattern of statistically significant associations with risk variables across all domains assessed, including temperament, neurocognition, and social adversity. The specific factors exhibited more domain-specific patterns of associations, with INT exhibiting greater fear/distress and EXT exhibiting greater impulsivity. Conclusions In this largest study of hierarchical models of psychopathology to date, we found that p, INT, and EXT exhibit well-differentiated nomological networks that are interpretable in terms of neurocognition, impulsivity, fear/distress, and social adversity. These networks were, in contrast, obscured when relying on the a priori Internalizing and Externalizing dimensions of the CBCL scales. Our findings add to the evidence for the validity of p, INT, and EXT as theoretically and empirically meaningful broad psychopathology liabilities.Keywords
This publication has 83 references indexed in Scilit:
- Higher-Order Genetic and Environmental Structure of Prevalent Forms of Child and Adolescent PsychopathologyArchives of General Psychiatry, 2011
- Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders as Predictors of Young Adult DisordersArchives of General Psychiatry, 2009
- How should we construct psychiatric family history scores? A comparison of alternative approaches from the Dunedin Family Health History StudyPsychological Medicine, 2008
- Cognitive Deficits in Depression and Functional Specificity of Regional Brain ActivityCognitive Therapy and Research, 2007
- The Perils of PartiallingAssessment, 2006
- Reinterpreting Comorbidity: A Model-Based Approach to Understanding and Classifying PsychopathologyAnnual Review of Clinical Psychology, 2006
- The prodromal questionnaire (PQ): Preliminary validation of a self-report screening measure for prodromal and psychotic syndromesSchizophrenia Research, 2005
- Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey ReplicationArchives of General Psychiatry, 2005
- The higher-order structure of common DSM mental disorders: internalization, externalization, and their connections to personalityPersonality and Individual Differences, 2001
- Construct validity in psychological tests.Psychological Bulletin, 1955