Strong Homotypic Continuity in Common Psychopathology-, Internalizing-, and Externalizing-Specific Factors Over Time in Adolescents

Abstract

Dimensional models of psychopathology have recently gained prominence that posit a general psychopathology factor (i.e., p factor), in addition to specific internalizing and externalizing factors. However, the stability of these factors, and the specificity with which they are related to one another over time (e.g., homotypic or heterotypic continuity), have not been investigated. The current study addressed these questions. We estimated bifactor models, with p, internalizing-specific and externalizing-specific factors, with youth and caretaker report of symptoms at two time points (18 months apart), in a large community sample of adolescents. Results showed strong stability over time with highly specific links (i.e., p factor at Time 1 to Time 2; internalizing-specific at Time 1 to Time 2, externalizing-specific at Time 1 to Time 2), suggesting strong homotypic continuity between higher-order latent psychopathology factors.