Journal article
The Reliability and Validity of Discrete and Continuous Measures of Psychopathology: A Quantitative Review
Psychological bulletin, Vol.137(5), pp.856-879
2011
DOI: 10.1037/a0023678
PMID: 21574681
Abstract
In 2 meta-analyses involving 58 studies and 59,575 participants, we quantitatively summarized the relative reliability and validity of continuous (i.e., dimensional) and discrete (i.e., categorical) measures of psychopathology. Overall, results suggest an expected 15% increase in reliability and 37% increase in validity through adoption of a continuous over discrete measure of psychopathology alone. This increase occurs across all types of samples and forms of psychopathology, with little evidence for exceptions. For typical observed effect sizes, the increase in validity is sufficient to almost halve sample sizes necessary to achieve standard power levels. With important caveats, the current results, considered with previous research, provide sufficient empirical and theoretical basis to assume a priori that continuous measurement of psychopathology is more reliable and valid. Use of continuous measures in psychopathology assessment has widespread theoretical and practical benefits in research and clinical settings.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Reliability and Validity of Discrete and Continuous Measures of Psychopathology: A Quantitative Review
- Creators
- Kristian E MARKON - University of Iowa, United StatesMichael CHMIELEWSKI - University of Iowa, United StatesChristopher J MILLER - University of Minnesota, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Psychological bulletin, Vol.137(5), pp.856-879
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- DOI
- 10.1037/a0023678
- PMID
- 21574681
- ISSN
- 0033-2909
- eISSN
- 1939-1455
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2011
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984083285102771
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