The use of well controls: an unhealthy practice in psychiatric research

Schwartz, Sharon; Süsser, Ezra

doi:10.1017/s0033291710001595

Cited by 61 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Doing so requires reliable and valid measures of p for research use, which need to be developed. Translational studies seeking biomarkers for one disorder certainly should include not only healthy control participants but also psychiatric control participants who have other disorders (Kapur et al, 2012; Schwartz & Susser, 2011). At a minimum, researchers should no longer assume a specific relation between the disorder they study and a biomarker/cause/consequence/treatment without empirical verification.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The p Factor

Caspi

Houts

Belsky

et al. 2013

Clinical Psychological Science

1,976

123

1,138

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Mental disorders traditionally have been viewed as distinct, episodic, and categorical conditions. This view has been challenged by evidence that many disorders are sequentially comorbid, recurrent/chronic, and exist on a continuum. Using the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, we examined the structure of psychopathology, taking into account dimensionality, persistence, co-occurrence, and sequential comorbidity of mental disorders across 20 years, from adolescence to midlife. Psychiatric disorders were initially explained by three higher-order factors (Internalizing, Externalizing, and Thought Disorder) but explained even better with one General Psychopathology dimension. We have called this dimension the p factor because it conceptually parallels a familiar dimension in psychological science: the g factor of general intelligence. Higher p scores are associated with more life impairment, greater familiality, worse developmental histories, and more compromised early-life brain function. The p factor explains why it is challenging to find causes, consequences, biomarkers, and treatments with specificity to individual mental disorders. Transdiagnostic approaches may improve research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The p Factor

Caspi

Houts

Belsky

et al. 2013

Clinical Psychological Science

1,976

123

1,138

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nevertheless, the use of such a comparison group may also be viewed as a strength of this study, as it provides a more conservative test of our model. Although results may have been stronger with the use of a "healthy" comparison group, any observed associations between BIS sensitivity and GAD may be due to the presence of co-occurring psychopathology among participants with GAD (for further discussion of the severe limitations associated with the use of healthy control groups, see Schwartz & Susser, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the incremental contribution of behavioral inhibition to generalized anxiety disorder relative to other Axis I disorders and cognitive-emotional vulnerabilities

Maack

Tull

Gratz

2012

Journal of Anxiety Disorders

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“…These individuals with a so called “refined phenotype” (see also e.g. Horga, Kaur, & Peterson, 2014) are then compared with “supernormal” or “well controls” with no mental disorder and often privileged in other areas of life as well (Schwartz & Susser, 2011; Uher & Rutter, 2012). Although such selection in both patient and control groups might help the search for biological markers, these research findings should not be generalized to children diagnosed in everyday society.…”

Section: Most Children With Adhd Behaviour Have “Normal” Brainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

ADHD: a critical update for educational professionals

Meerman

Batstra

Grietens

et al. 2017

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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A medical approach towards behavioural problems could make professionals without a medical background, like teachers and other educational professionals feel inapt. In this article, we raise six scientifically grounded considerations regarding ADHD, currently the most prevalent childhood psychiatric diagnosis. These “need to knows” show just how misguided and potentially stigmatizing current conceptualizations of unruly behaviour have become. Some examples are given of how teachers are misinformed, and alternative ways of reporting about neuropsychological research are suggested. A reinvigorated conceptual understanding of ADHD could help educational institutions to avoid the expensive outsourcing of behavioural problems that could also—and justifiably better—be framed as part of education’s primary mission of professionalized socialization.

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The use of well controls: an unhealthy practice in psychiatric research

Abstract: We conclude that the use of well controls is an unhealthy practice in psychiatric research.

Cited by 61 publications

References 7 publications

The p Factor

The p Factor

Examining the incremental contribution of behavioral inhibition to generalized anxiety disorder relative to other Axis I disorders and cognitive-emotional vulnerabilities

ADHD: a critical update for educational professionals

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