Abstract

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium has developed a comprehensive, hierarchical, and dimensional model of symptoms and syndromes on the basis of this evidence. In the HiTOP model, correlated syndromes are explained by overarching subfactors, and similar symptoms are grouped into syndromes (disorders) based on their natural covariation. These subfactors are also combined to form spectra, which represent psychopathology's higher-order dimensions. Besides, the HiTOP model features the layered appraisal of psychopathology. Measurements of constructs with unclear boundaries and information beyond the distinction between disorder presence and absence are particularly well served by dimensional models. Rather than relying on diagnostic categories, examining a disorder's symptoms may yield incremental information that is more reliable.