A dimensional latent variable model approach to connecting psychopathology and neurocognition hierarchies.

Abstract

Specific and unique associations between neurocognition and psychopathology dimensions have not been clearly delineated despite the presence of neurocognitive concerns across nearly all psychiatric disorders. This study seeks to identify relationships between broader and narrower latent factors within psychopathology and neurocognition hierarchies. One thousand adults between the ages of 18 and 65 (n = 715 female) with current mental health concerns participated in this online research study and completed questionnaires of dimensional psychopathology and comprehensive neuropsychological testing using measures with previously established latent hierarchical structures. A series of confirmatory and exploratory higher-order, bifactor, and correlated factors models were tested. Hierarchical regressions and structural models were used to test associations between psychopathology and neurocognition dimensions. An exploratory six-factor bifactor model (general psychopathology, harmful substance use, anxiety, detachment, depression, posttraumatic stress) and a confirmatory five-factor model of psychopathology (general psychopathology, internalizing, externalizing, thought, detachment plus method factor) emerged. An exploratory three-factor bifactor model of neurocognition (general neurocognition, executive function, and social cognition) was retained. Hierarchical regressions revealed a significant negative association of general psychopathology with general neurocognition. Detachment was associated with a further decrement in general neurocognition and social cognition. A positive association was found between anxiety and social cognition. Within a structural model between the five-factor bifactor model of psychopathology and three-factor bifactor model of neurocognition, only the association between detachment and general neurocognition remained significant. Higher levels of detachment are most consistently associated with decrements in general neurocognition across different models. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).