Development of Measures to Assess the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) (1.5 CEs)

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium has proposed an alternative, evidence-based, and dimensional classification for psychopathology that focuses on the empirical structure of psychopathology rather than consensus judgements of psychiatric experts. HiTOP promises to provide psychometrically robust targets for research and clinical practice, but this promise cannot be fully realized until HiTOP-specific measures are developed. To that end, in this symposium we present the current status of efforts by the HiTOP Measurement Development Workgroup to build such measures. The symposium will include six presentations. First, Leonard Simms will introduce the HiTOP model and describe the measurement principles and practices on which HiTOP measures are being developed. Second, David Watson will describe the development and initial validation of measures of internalizing psychopathology, which has resulted in a provisional set of 35 scales that encompass all major forms of internalizing. Third, Marin Sellbom will detail the development of constructs and associated scales in the comprehensive assessment of eating pathology and somatization. Results thus far have indicated 4 candidate scales for somatization and 6 candidate scales for eating pathology. Fourth, David Cicero will describe the initial development of a measure for the HiTOP thought disorders spectrum, which includes provisional scales tapping both psychosis traits and symptoms. Fifth, Stephanie Mullins Sweat will describe the efforts to build measures of both disinhibited and antagonistic externalizing psychopathology. Finally, Johannes Zimmermann will present the assessment results of the HiTOP detachment workgroup. Following all presentations, the Chair will guide discussion with the audience regarding all presentations and the clinical assessment implications of HiTOP more generally.

Chair

Leonard Simms | University at Buffalo

Goals & Objectives 

1. To introduce the HiTOP model to a broad group assessment-minded psychologists. 
2. To introduce the methods and plans pf the HiTOP consortium to build measures of the HiTOP. 
3. To describe the status of HiTOP-specific measures.