A general psychopathology factor in early adolescence

Praveetha Patalay; Peter Fonagy; Jessica Deighton; Jay Belsky; Panos Vostanis; Miranda Wolpert

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.149591

A general psychopathology factor in early adolescence

Br J Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;207(1):15-22. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.149591. Epub 2015 Apr 23.

Authors

Praveetha Patalay¹, Peter Fonagy², Jessica Deighton², Jay Belsky², Panos Vostanis², Miranda Wolpert²

Affiliations

¹ Praveetha Patalay, MPhil, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK; Peter Fonagy, PhD, FBA, FMedSci, University College London, London, UK; Jessica Deighton, PhD, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK; Jay Belsky, PhD, Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Panos Vostanis, MB, MD, FRCPsych, The Greenwood Institute of Child Health, Leicester University, Leicester, UK; Miranda Wolpert, DClinPsychol, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK praveetha.patalay.11@ucl.ac.uk.
² Praveetha Patalay, MPhil, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK; Peter Fonagy, PhD, FBA, FMedSci, University College London, London, UK; Jessica Deighton, PhD, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK; Jay Belsky, PhD, Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Panos Vostanis, MB, MD, FRCPsych, The Greenwood Institute of Child Health, Leicester University, Leicester, UK; Miranda Wolpert, DClinPsychol, Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU), University College London, and the Anna Freud Centre, London, UK.

PMID: 25906794
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.149591

Abstract

Background: Recently, a general psychopathology dimension reflecting common aspects among disorders has been identified in adults. This has not yet been considered in children and adolescents, where the focus has been on externalising and internalising dimensions.

Aims: To examine the existence, correlates and predictive value of a general psychopathology dimension in young people.

Method: Alternative factor models were estimated using self-reports of symptoms in a large community-based sample aged 11-13.5 years (N = 23 477), and resulting dimensions were assessed in terms of associations with external correlates and future functioning.

Results: Both a traditional two-factor model and a bi-factor model with a general psychopathology bi-factor fitted the data well. The general psychopathology bi-factor best predicted future psychopathology and academic attainment. Associations with correlates and factor loadings are discussed.

Conclusions: A general psychopathology factor, which is equal across genders, can be identified in young people. Its associations with correlates and future functioning indicate that investigating this factor can increase our understanding of the aetiology, risk and correlates of psychopathology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
England
Female
Humans
Internal-External Control*
Logistic Models
Male
Models, Psychological
Psychopathology*
Self Report

Grants and funding

095844/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom