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Correction to Moore et al. (2020)
Tyler M Moore1, Antonia N Kaczkurkin2, E Leighton Durham2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
Reports an error in "Criterion validity and relationships between alternative hierarchical dimensional models of general and specific psychopathology" by Tyler M. Moore, Antonia N. Kaczkurkin, E. Leighton Durham, Hee Jung Jeong, Malerie G. McDowell, Randolph M. Dupont, Brooks Applegate, Jennifer L. Tackett, Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez, Omid Kardan, Gaby N. Akcelik, Andrew J. Stier, Monica D. Rosenberg, Donald Hedeker, Marc G. Berman and Benjamin B. Lahey (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Advanced Online Publication, Jul 16, 2020, np). In the article (http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/abn0000601), an acknowledgment is missing from the author note. The missing acknowledgement is included in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2020-50590-001.) Psychopathology can be viewed as a hierarchy of correlated dimensions. Many studies have supported this conceptualization, but they have used alternative statistical models with differing interpretations. In bifactor models, every symptom loads on both the general factor and 1 specific factor (e.g., internalizing), which partitions the total explained variance in each symptom between these orthogonal factors. In second-order models, symptoms load on one of several correlated lower-order factors. These lower-order factors load on a second-order general factor, which is defined by the variance shared by the lower-order factors. Thus, the factors in second-order models are not orthogonal. Choosing between these valid statistical models depends on the hypothesis being tested. Because bifactor models define orthogonal phenotypes with distinct sources of variance, they are optimal for studies of shared and unique associations of the dimensions of psychopathology with external variables putatively relevant to etiology and mechanisms. Concerns have been raised, however, about the reliability of the orthogonal specific factors in bifactor models. We evaluated this concern using parent symptom ratings of 9-10 year olds in the ABCD Study. Psychometric indices indicated that all factors in both bifactor and second-order models exhibited at least adequate construct reliability and estimated replicability. The factors defined in bifactor and second-order models were highly to moderately correlated across models, but have different interpretations. All factors in both models demonstrated significant associations with external criterion variables of theoretical and clinical importance, but the interpretation of such associations in second-order models was ambiguous due to shared variance among factors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Insights
This study confirms that both bifactor and second-order models reliably measure psychopathology dimensions. However, bifactor models are better for understanding unique associations due to clearer interpretations of specific factors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychopathology Research
- Quantitative Psychology
Background:
- Psychopathology is often conceptualized as a hierarchy of correlated dimensions.
- Alternative statistical models, bifactor and second-order, are used to represent these hierarchies, leading to different interpretations.
- Concerns exist regarding the reliability of specific factors in bifactor models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of specific factors in bifactor models of psychopathology.
- To compare the construct reliability and replicability of factors across bifactor and second-order models.
- To examine the associations of psychopathology dimensions with external variables using both models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized parent symptom ratings of 9-10 year olds from the ABCD Study.
- Employed psychometric analyses to assess construct reliability and factor replicability.
- Compared factor correlations and associations with external criterion variables across bifactor and second-order models.
Main Results:
- All factors in both bifactor and second-order models demonstrated adequate construct reliability and replicability.
- Factors showed moderate to high correlations across models but differed in interpretation.
- While both models identified significant associations with external variables, second-order models presented ambiguous interpretations due to shared variance.
Conclusions:
- Both bifactor and second-order models provide reliable measures of psychopathology dimensions.
- Bifactor models are optimal for research investigating unique associations with external variables due to orthogonal factors.
- Second-order models' interpretations are complicated by correlated factors, limiting clarity in understanding specific etiological or mechanistic pathways.
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