Kinds versus continua: a review of psychometric approaches to uncover the structure of psychiatric constructs

摘要: The question of whether psychopathology constructs are discrete kinds or continuous dimensions represents an important issue in clinical psychology and psychiatry. present paper reviews psychometric modelling approaches that can be used to investigate this through the application statistical models. relation between indicator variables models with categorical latent is discussed, as techniques specifically designed address distinction categories opposed continua (taxometrics). In addition, we examine variable allow structures have both characteristics, such factor mixture grade-of-membership Finally, discuss recent alternative based on network analysis dynamical systems theory, which entail structure may for some individuals but others. Our evaluation literature shows kinds-continua considerably more subtle than often presupposed research; particular, hypotheses not mutually exclusive exhaustive. We opportunities go beyond current research by using models, intra-individual time series experimental manipulations.