Evaluating Structural Models of Cognitive Vulnerabilities: Transdiagnostic and Specific Pathways to Internalizing Symptoms

Abstract

The structure of cognitive vulnerabilities to anxiety and depression was examined via a hierarchical approach to examine the usefulness of a bifactor model for identifying a broad transdiagnostic (i.e., common core) factor versus disorder-specific variables (i.e., unique dimensions) in predicting internalizing psychopathology. Several models (i.e., single factor, correlated factor, single hierarchical, and bifactor models) were evaluated in undergraduate (n = 351) and adolescent (n = 385) samples. Across both samples, the bifactor model exhibited comparable good fit as the correlated and single hierarchical models. This model comprised a core transdiagnostic vulnerability factor and six specific factors (i.e., negative cognitive style, dysfunctional attitudes, ruminative style, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, and fear of negative evaluation). Although the transdiagnostic factor predicted a general internalizing symptom factor, unique fear-related specific-level associations between individual vulnerability and symptom remained significant. Moreover, the transdiagnostic vulnerability factor predicted internalizing symptoms, even after controlling for personality and gender. These findings highlight the importance of advancing an integrative etiologic model of internalizing psychopathology.