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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Structural hierarchy of autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an integrative framework
Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, v 59(1), pp 30-38
Jan 2018
PMID: 28195316
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: In an attempt to resolve questions regarding the symptom classification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), previous research generally aimed to demonstrate superiority of one model over another. Rather than adjudicating which model may be optimal, we propose an alternative approach that integrates competing models using Goldberg's bass-ackwards method, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying symptom structure of ASD. Methods: The study sample comprised 3,825 individuals, consecutive referrals to a university hospital developmental disabilities specialty clinic or a child psychiatry outpatient clinic. This study analyzed DSM-IV-referenced ASD symptom statements from parent and teacher versions of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4R. A series of exploratory structural equation models was conducted in order to produce interpretable latent factors that account for multivariate covariance. Results: Results indicated that ASD symptoms were structured into an interpretable hierarchy across multiple informants. This hierarchy includes five levels; key features of ASD bifurcate into different constructs with increasing specificity. Conclusions: This is the first study to examine an underlying structural hierarchy of ASD symptomatology using the bass-ackwards method. This hierarchy demonstrates how core features of ASD relate at differing levels of resolution, providing a model for conceptualizing ASD heterogeneity and a structure for integrating divergent theories of cognitive processes and behavioral features that define the disorder. These findings suggest that a more coherent and complete understanding of the structure of ASD symptoms may be reflected in a metastructure rather than at one level of resolution.
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Details
- Title
- Structural hierarchy of autism spectrum disorder symptoms: an integrative framework
- Creators
- Hyunsik Kim - Stony Brook UniversityCara M. Keifer - Stony Brook UniversityCraig Rodriguez-Seijas - Stony Brook UniversityNicholas R. Eaton - Stony Brook UniversityMatthew D. Lerner - Stony Brook UniversityKenneth D. Gadow - Stony Brook University
- Publication Details
- Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, v 59(1), pp 30-38
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- 381283 / Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Matt and Debra Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities R01MH110585 / NIMH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000417936600008
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85013192581
- Other Identifier
- 991021862276204721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Psychology, Developmental