title: An Examination of the Higher-Order Structure of Psychopathology and its Relationship to Personality.
abstract: This study compared a series of higher-order models encompassing symptoms of both clinical and personality disorders. The final model was then correlated with a latent variable model of normal personality traits. A total of 420 undergraduates completed a battery of self-report symptom and personality questionnaires, with informant-reports and diagnostic interviews provided by overlapping subsamples. A three-level model with two factors at the highest level and four factors at the second level was the best fitting model. The higher-order internalizing and externalizing factors were then correlated with 30 latent personality facets. Results demonstrate an elevation on the neuroticism facets for the higher-order internalizing factor, along with low positive emotions, low actions, and low competence. The higher-order externalizing factor was negatively associated with most conscientiousness and agreeableness factors, while showing an elevation on excitement-seeking, impulsivity, and angry hostility. Future studies should replicate these models with the inclusion of more low base-rate disorders (i.e., psychosis).
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University.|Family Institute at Northwestern University.
authors.forename: Amanda A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Uliaszek
authors.affiliation: Family Institute at Northwestern University.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Zinbarg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011599:Psychopathology; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult