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P factor in children with chronic physical illness

Mark A Ferro1, Christy K Y Chan1

  • 1School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|July 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study modeled the p factor, a general liability for mental illness, in children with chronic physical illness (CPI). Findings show the p factor

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The p factor, representing general liability for mental illness, is well-established in adults.
  • Research on the p factor in children is limited, with no studies examining it in children with chronic physical illness (CPI).
  • Understanding the p factor in pediatric populations with CPI is crucial for addressing mental health comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the p factor in a longitudinal sample of children with CPI.
  • To assess the construct validity of the p factor using parent-reported data against a structured diagnostic interview.
  • To investigate the relationship between the p factor and mental illness diagnoses in children with CPI.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 263 children (aged 2-16 years) with CPI from the MY LIFE study.
  • Modeled the p factor using the Emotional Behavioural Scales over 24 months via confirmatory factor analysis.
  • Validated the p factor against the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents.

Main Results:

  • A bi-factor structure provided superior fit for the p factor compared to a standard correlated-factors model.
  • P factor scores significantly correlated with the number of different mental illness diagnoses (r=0.71) and total diagnoses (r=0.72).
  • Demonstrated dose-response relationships between the p factor and the number of mental illness diagnoses (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence for the p factor's bi-factor structure in children with CPI.
  • The p factor is associated with mental illness diagnoses in children with CPI, highlighting pervasive comorbidity.
  • Transdiagnostic approaches are recommended for integrated pediatric care of children with CPI and mental comorbidities.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chronic diseaseMeasurementMental disorderPsychopathology

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