Validation of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology-Self-Report (HiTOP-SR): internal structure and construct validity against the MMPI-3 in a community sample

The present study aimed to evaluate the hierarchical structure and construct validity of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology-Self-Report (HiTOP-SR) measure. Using data from a combined sample of 775 community and undergraduate participants, exploratory factor analysis initially yielded a seven-factor solution reflecting broad psychopathology domains: internalizing, disinhibited externalizing, antagonistic externalizing, low positive emotionality, eating pathology, sexual dysfunction, and anankastia. Subsequent elaboration of a lower order structure based on the first three broader domains yielded seven additional factors: fear and somatoform, thought disorder, suicide, negative affectivity, and narcissism, resulting in a total of 11 factors at the most nuanced level. Sequential hierarchical modeling iteratively traced the factor structure from one global psychopathology factor down to the seven-factor level and, subsequently, 11-factor level. Construct validity of the factor structures was evaluated through correlation and regression analyses using scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3. These results yielded broad support for the convergent validity of the HiTOP-SR structure, as the various factors demonstrated meaningful associations with conceptually relevant Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 scale scores. These findings, though derived from a predominantly young female sample that may not be fully generalizable, provide preliminary evidence for the HiTOP-SR as a promising assessment tool aligned with key aspects of the HiTOP framework, while also highlighting directions for further replication and refinement.