On the Meaning of the "P Factor" in Symmetrical Bifactor Models of Psychopathology: Recommendations for Future Research From the Bifactor-(S-1) Perspective.

ABSTRACT: Symmetrical bifactor models are frequently applied to diverse symptoms of psychopathology to identify a general P factor. This factor is assumed to mark shared liability across all psychopathology dimensions and mental disorders. Despite their popularity, however, symmetrical bifactor models of P often yield anomalous results, including but not limited to nonsignificant or negative specific factor variances and nonsignificant or negative factor loadings. To date, these anomalies have often been treated as nuisances to be explained away. In this article, we demonstrate why these anomalies alter the substantive meaning of P such that it (a) does not reflect general liability to psychopathology and (b) differs in meaning across studies. We then describe an alternative mod

SUBMITTER: Heinrich M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9999288 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature