Commentary: Extending longitudinal network approaches – a reflection on Funkhouser et al. (2020)

Abstract

The network approach facilitates an exploration of direct and potentially causal relations among symptoms of psychological disorders, yet most prior research utilizing this approach has done so using cross‐sectional data. This commentary highlights the importance of longitudinal network approaches, as depicted in the study conducted by Funkhouser et al. (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2020), and describes two possible key extensions of this approach: (a) accounting for risk markers, etiological mechanisms, and other nonsymptoms within longitudinal network models, and (b) continued exploration of longitudinal within‐person networks with attention to personalized treatment applications. Inclusion of these extensions in future longitudinal network studies could provide new insights into the nature of psychopathology and inform the development of more precise screening tools and targeted, personalized interventions.

Contemporary methodological considerations for key issues in research on personality disorder development.

“…The first perspective is known as the common cause model , which assumes that comorbidity results from a group of transdiagnostic liabilities affecting multiple disorders (Goh, 2021; Smith et al, 2020). The second perspective is the network perspective , according to which psychological disorders and comorbidity result from direct interactions between symptoms, with symptoms being associated to different disorders being called bridges (Goh & Martel, 2021; Groen et al, 2020; Jones et al, 2021).…”

“…Moreover, from the perspective of the common cause model, the dominance of cross-sectional research implies that “little is known about the developmental dynamics of the hierarchical structure of psychopathology during critical periods such as childhood and adolescence” (Mann et al, 2020, p. 771). For the network perspective, the cross-sectional approach “has generally precluded a direct examination of (bi)directional relations among symptoms of psychological disorders” (Goh & Martel, 2021, p. 195). Because of these reasons, longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the very nature of comorbidity (Klein & Schwartz, 2002).…”

“…Recently, the dynamic network approach has also been extended to person-specific networks (Epskamp, 2020). Those person-specific networks require intensive longitudinal data on a single individual (using designs such as daily diary or experience sampling studies) and may be particularly useful for defining targeted intervention efforts and evaluation of treatment effects (Goh & Martel, 2021).…”