Coordinating Author Information: JoAnna Molina, MS | University of Detroit- Mercy
Session Abstract: The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an alternative classification system that conceptualizes psychopathology using empirically derived transdiagnostic dimensions. These dimensions align with decades of research findings and address a number of the well-documented problems with diagnostic categories. However, the HiTOP’s relationship with established clinical theory and interventions is less clear. The goal of the current study is to understand the relationship between the HiTOP model dimensions (i.e., superspectra, spectra) and defense mechanisms/overall defensive functioning. To that end, a total of 300 participants will be recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (Mturk) and will complete a number of self-report measures of personality, psychological symptoms, and defensive functioning. Factor analysis will then be conducted to obtain HiTOP factor scores. These factor scores will then be used in stepwise multiple regression analyses to determine whether defense mechanisms are significantly associated with HiTOP model dimensions. Clinical and model implications of these findings will be discussed.
Authors:
JoAnna Molina, MS | University of Detroit-Mercy
Emily A. Dowgwillo, PhD | University of Detroit-Mercy