Common Cause Versus Dynamic Mutualism: An Empirical Comparison of Two Theories of Psychopathology in Two Large Longitudinal Cohorts.
Publication year
2024Source
Clinical Psychological Science, 12, 3, (2024), pp. 380-402ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
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Organization
Cognitive Neuroscience
PI Group Motivational & Cognitive Control
Journal title
Clinical Psychological Science
Volume
vol. 12
Issue
iss. 3
Page start
p. 380
Page end
p. 402
Subject
170 000 Motivational & Cognitive Control; Cognitive Neuroscience - Radboud University Medical Center - DCMNAbstract
Mental disorders are among the leading causes of global disease burden. To respond effectively, a strong understanding of the structure of psychopathology is critical. We empirically compared two competing frameworks, dynamic-mutualism theory and common-cause theory, that vie to explain the development of psychopathology. We formalized these theories in statistical models and applied them to explain change in the general factor of psychopathology (p factor) from early to late adolescence (N = 1,482) and major depression in middle adulthood and old age (N = 6,443). Change in the p factor was better explained by mutualism according to model-fit indices. However, a core prediction of mutualism was not supported (i.e., predominantly positive causal interactions among distinct domains). The evidence for change in depression was more ambiguous. Our results support a multicausal approach to understanding psychopathology and showcase the value of translating theories into testable statistical models for understanding developmental processes in clinical sciences.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [245263]
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging [4022]
- Electronic publications [132514]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [93208]
- Open Access publications [106159]
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