The Broad Structure of Psychopathology in the All of Us Research Program
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Background
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) provides a useful framework for studying psychopathology dimensionally and hierarchically. Despite its empirical basis, the HiTOP model was derived through narrative review. Hence, the model’s structure requires further quantitative testing, refinement, extension, and validation. This analysis utilizes electronic health records (EHR) psychiatric diagnoses to directly test the broad structure and validity of higher-order HiTOP dimensions and sets the foundation for downstream biological, behavioral, and environmental research.
Methods
Data were obtained from the All of Us Research Program, a landmark biobank initiative for population-scale health research, using participants’ psychiatric diagnoses and sociodemographic correlates as reported in their EHRs. A total of 127,963 participants and 39 primary diagnoses were identified. Factor analyses were used to examine the higher-order structure of psychopathology, to evaluate its validity, and to test hypotheses for the placement of disorders often ambiguously classified in prior research. Competing plausible structures were tested and evaluated according to conventional fit indices as well as alternative indices aimed at identifying robust and meaningful structures.
Results
A structure with six correlated transdiagnostic dimensions outperformed alternative structures (comparative fit index = 0.92, tucker-lewis index = 0.92, root mean square error of approximation = 0.01, and standardized root-mean-square residual = 0.01) and demonstrated strong replicability, reliability, and criterion validity. The median factor loading was 0.62 with a median standard error of 0.01.
Conclusions
These findings strongly support a 6-factor dimensional model of psychopathology that broadly resembles major spectra in the HiTOP framework. By addressing key gaps in the literature, this study advances our understanding of the structure and correlates of mental disorders. The results offer a foundation for more nuanced investigations into the etiology, progression, and treatment of mental health conditions.
