(PS3-21) Irrational Beliefs in the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP)

Irrational Beliefs in the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP)

Introduction: The HiTOP Model aims to address the limitations of traditional diagnostic strategies by adopting a hierarchical, dimensional framework with one higher-order super-spectrum of psychopathology and six spectra. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) suggests that emotional difficulties and maladaptive behaviors are constructed and maintained by irrational beliefs (1). Using Structural Equation Modeling, we hypothesized that irrational beliefs would serve as a causal indicator in psychopathology such that model fit would improve with irrational beliefs as the overall p-factor.

Methods: Undergraduates (N = 541) participated. Participants completed parts of six questionnaires (2-7) to represent the six spectra of the HiTOP Model and related subfactors. For the hypothesized Model, participants completed the Attitude and Beliefs Scale (ABS; 8), a measure of irrational beliefs.

Results: Results showed a good fit for the basic HiTOP model with the general p-factor (RMSEA = .061, CFI = .918, TLI = .907, x2 = 615). However, replacing the p-factor with irrational beliefs enhanced the overall model as the fit was better (RMSEA = .056, CFI = .931, TLI = .919, x2 = 639).

Discussion: Results showed that replacing the higher-order p-factor with irrational beliefs improved the overall fit of the HiTOP model. As such, irrational beliefs as the p-factor may provide a better overall estimate of higher-order psychopathology than the traditional HiTOP model. Future research should continue to examine the validity of hierarchical, dimensional models of psychopathology with the goal of improving model fit and estimates of lower-level factors.

References 

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(8)   DiGiuseppe, R., Gorman, B., Raptis, J. et al. The Development of a Short Form of an Irrational/Rational Beliefs Scale. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 39, 456–490 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-021-00386-3