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.