Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): II. Externalizing superspectrum

Robert F. Krueger, Kelsey A. Hobbs, Christopher C. Conway, Danielle M. Dick, Michael N. Dretsch, Nicholas R. Eaton, Miriam K. Forbes, Kelsie T. Forbush, Katherine M. Keyes, Robert D. Latzman, Giorgia Michelini, Christopher J. Patrick, Martin Sellbom, Tim Slade, Susan C. South, Matthew Sunderland, Jennifer Tackett, Irwin Waldman, Monika A. Waszczuk, Aidan G. C. WrightDavid H. Zald, David Watson, Roman Kotov, HiTOP Utility Workgroup

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    135 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an empirical effort to address limitations of traditional mental disorder diagnoses. These include arbitrary boundaries between disorder and normality, disorder co-occurrence in the modal case, heterogeneity of presentation within dis­orders, and instability of diagnosis within patients. This paper reviews the evidence on the validity and utility of the disinhibited externalizing and antagonistic externalizing spectra of HiTOP, which together constitute a broad externalizing superspectrum. These spectra are composed of elements subsumed within a variety of mental disorders described in recent DSM nosologies, including most notably substance use disorders and “Cluster B” personality disorders. The externalizing superspectrum ranges from normative levels of impulse control and self-assertion, to maladaptive disinhibition and antagonism, to extensive polysubstance involvement and personality psychopathology. A rich literature supports the validity of the externalizing superspectrum, and the disinhibited and antagonistic spectra. This evidence encompasses common genetic influences, environmental risk factors, childhood antecedents, cognitive abnormalities, neural alterations, and treatment response. The structure of these validators mirrors the structure of the phenotypic externalizing superspectrum, with some correlates more specific to disinhibited or antagonistic spectra, and others relevant to the entire externalizing superspectrum, underlining the hierarchical structure of the domain. Compared with traditional diagnostic categories, the externalizing superspectrum conceptualization shows improved utility, reliability, explanatory capacity, and clinical applicability. The externalizing superspectrum is one aspect of the general approach to psychopathology offered by HiTOP and can make diagnostic classification more useful in both research and the clinic.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)171-193
    Number of pages23
    JournalWorld Psychiatry
    Volume20
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

    Keywords

    • HiTOP
    • externalizing
    • disinhibition
    • antagonism
    • Cluster B personality disorders
    • substance use dis­orders
    • antisocial personality disorder
    • clinical utility

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): II. Externalizing superspectrum'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this