Modeling the normal:abnormal spectrum of early childhood internalizing behaviors: A clinical‐developmental approach for the Multidimensional Assessment Profiles Internalizing Dimensions

Abstract

BackgroundWe expanded the Multidimensional Assessment Profiles (MAPS) Scales developmental specification model to characterize the normal:abnormal spectrum of internalizing (anxious and depressive) behaviors in early childhood via the MAPS‐Internalizing (MAPS‐INT) scale.MethodsThe MAPS‐INT item pool was generated based on clinical expertise and prior research. Analyses were conducted on a sub‐sample of families (n = 183) from the diverse When to Worry early childhood sample.ResultsNormal:abnormal descriptive patterns for both anxious and depressive behaviors were consistent with prior work: (1) extremes of normative variation are abnormal when very frequent; and (2) pathognomonic indicators that most children do not engage in and are abnormal, even if infrequent. Factor analysis revealed a two‐factor MAPS‐INT Anxious Behaviors structure (Fearful‐Worried and Separation Distress) and a unidimensional MAPS‐INT Depressive Behaviors factor with good fit and good‐to‐excellent test‐retest reliability and validity.ConclusionsWe characterized the normal:abnormal spectrum of internalizing behaviors in early childhood via the MAPS‐INT. Future research in larger representative samples can replicate and extend findings, including clinical thresholds and predictive utility. The MAPS‐INT helps lay the groundwork for dimensional characterization of the internalizing spectrum to advance neurodevelopmental approaches to emergent psychopathology and its earlier identification.

MAPping affective dimensions of behavior: Methodologic and pragmatic advancement of the Multidimensional Assessment Profiles scales

“…However, application of this approach to other key affective aspects of psychopathology is lacking. This special issue includes a paper by Wakschlag et al (2023) expanding this novel, dimensional, developmentally specified approach to internalizing (anxious and depressive) behaviors in early childhood. This now provides provide nuanced dimensional and developmentally based characterization across the full internalizing/externalizing spectrum via the MAPS scales.…”

Commentary on the special issue: Leveraging measurement to refine developmental perspectives on psychopathology

“…Special Issue papers focus heavily on the Multidimensional Assessment Profile Scales, Temper Loss scale (MAPS-Temper Loss) (Kirk et al, 2023;Wakschlag et al, 2023;Wiggins, Ureña Rosario, Mac-Neill, et al, 2023). This measure quantifies levels of irritability expressed by children, now extended from age 1 year through adolescence.…”

“…Pathological anxiety involves excessive levels of a behavior that can be considered normative in many contexts. The Special Issue reports on an extension of past methods to characterize the dimensional spectra of anxious and depressive behaviors within the developmental context of early childhood (Alam et al, 2023;Kirk et al, 2023;Wakschlag et al, 2023).…”

“…This Special Issue of International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research highlights developmental perspectives on irritability and related dimensions of psychopathology. The issue's papers (Alam et al, 2023;Hirsch et al, 2023;Kirk et al, 2023;Wakschlag et al, 2023;Wigg et al, 2023;Wiggins et al, 2023aWiggins et al, , 2023b) extend a solid foundation of research to target questions on pediatric emotional problems and applications of dimensional methods. As such, the papers are fresh and novel while steeped in an important prior history.…”

“…As such, the papers are fresh and novel while steeped in an important prior history. Papers demonstrate improvements in measurement during the first 5 years of life (Hirsch et al, 2023;Wakschlag et al, 2023;Wiggins et al, 2023aWiggins et al, , 2023b through adolescence (Alam et al, 2023;Kirk et al, 2023;Wakschlag et al, 2023), important areas in need of advancement.…”