January 1, 2001Psychological Assessment
Using item response theory to understand comorbidity among anxiety and unipolar mood disorders.
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Discussion
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Implication
Randomized trial examines comorbidity of anxiety and unipolar mood disorders, suggesting new assessment instruments may be needed.
Key Points
- This study aims to explore the comorbidity between anxiety and unipolar mood disorders through a higher order factor model.
- Analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey (N = 251).
- Utilized a one-factor model to fit correlations among 7 anxiety and unipolar mood diagnoses.
- Employed item response theory to assess mapping of diagnoses onto the internalizing factor.
- Identified a strong internalizing factor that explains the comorbidity between disorders.
- High scores on the internalizing factor correlated with increased social costs.
- Highlighted the inadequacy of the traditional comorbidity concept in capturing the full range of internalizing factors.
Cite This Study
Krueger et al. (2001) studied this question.