The General Factor of Psychopathology

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Empirical approaches have advanced mental disorder understanding by mapping dysfunction dimensions.
• Intercorrelations among psychopathology forms led to the general factor of psychopathology (p factor).

Purpose of the Study:

• Review empirical support for the p factor, including its stability and validity.
• Discuss the p factor's relationship with general factors of personality and personality disorder.
• Explore substantive interpretations and clinical utility of the p factor.

Main Methods:

• Review of empirical evidence supporting the p factor.
• Analysis of intercorrelations among various forms of psychopathology.
• Examination of relationships with general personality factors.

Main Results:

• Consistent intercorrelations observed among psychopathology dimensions, supporting a general p factor.
• Evidence for the stability and criterion validity of the p factor.
• Strong relationship between the p factor and general factors of personality and personality disorder.

Conclusions:

• Proposed interpretations of the p factor do not fully encompass its symptomatology.
• The p factor is best understood as an index of impairment.
• The p factor has potential clinical utility in informing mental health treatment duration and intensity.