Differentiated nomological networks of internalizing, externalizing, and the general factor of psychopathology (‘<i>p</i> factor’) in emerging adolescence in the ABCD study

Abstract

In this largest study of hierarchical models of psychopathology to date, we found that <i>p</i>, 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 <i>p</i>, INT, and EXT as theoretically and empirically meaningful broad psychopathology liabilities.