The General Factor of Psychopathology in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study: A Comparison of Alternative Modeling Approaches

Many models of psychopathology include a single general factor (GFP) or “ p factor” to account for covariation across symptoms. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study provides rich opportunity study the development GFP. However, variety approaches modeling GFP have emerged, raising questions about how choices affect estimated scores. We used ABCD baseline assessment (ages 9–10 years old; N = 11,875) parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) examine implications using items versus scales, priori CBCL scales data-driven dimensions, and bifactor, higher order, single-factor models. Children’s rank-ordering on was stable models, scores were similarly related criterion variables. Results suggest that although theoretical debates continue, practical these children assessing external associations will often be modest.