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Evidence for the continuous latent structure of mania in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area from multiple latent structure and construct validation methodologies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2010

J. J. Prisciandaro  and
J. E. Roberts
J. J. Prisciandaro
Affiliation:
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Amherst, NY, USA
J. E. Roberts*
Affiliation:
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Amherst, NY, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr J. E. Roberts, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Department of Psychology, Park Hall, Box 604110, Amherst, NY 14260-4110, USA. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Although psychiatric diagnostic systems have conceptualized mania as a discrete phenomenon, appropriate latent structure investigations testing this conceptualization are lacking. In contrast to these diagnostic systems, several influential theories of mania have suggested a continuous conceptualization. The present study examined whether mania has a continuous or discrete latent structure using a comprehensive approach including taxometric, information-theoretic latent distribution modeling (ITLDM) and predictive validity methodologies in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study.

Method

Eight dichotomous manic symptom items were submitted to a variety of latent structural analyses, including factor analyses, taxometric procedures and ITLDM, in 10105 ECA community participants. In addition, a variety of continuous and discrete models of mania were compared in terms of their relative abilities to predict outcomes (i.e. health service utilization, internalizing and externalizing disorders, and suicidal behavior).

Results

Taxometric and ITLDM analyses consistently supported a continuous conceptualization of mania. In ITLDM analyses, a continuous model of mania demonstrated 6.52:1 odds over the best-fitting latent class model (LCM) of mania. Factor analyses suggested that the continuous structure of mania was best represented by a single latent factor. Predictive validity analyses demonstrated a consistent superior ability of continuous models of mania relative to discrete models.

Conclusions

The present study provided three independent lines of support for a continuous conceptualization of mania. The implications of a continuous model of mania are discussed.

Keywords

Categoricaldimensionalepidemiologic catchment areamaniataxometric
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 3 , March 2011 , pp. 575 - 588
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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