An Empirical and Computational Investigation of Neurocognitive Performance Underlying Dimensional Psychopathology

Abstract

Deficits in neurocognitive abilities have been claimed to be an aetiological feature of psychopathology. Recently, dimensional structural models of psychopathology have been developed that view psychopathological experience on a dimension across multiple higher and lower order factors and indicators. This thesis explored limitations of the dimensional approach, such as the factors’ substantive meaning, and examined the functional associations between neurocognition and dimensional psychopathology. Dimensional psychopathology is best explained by a non-linear interactive conceptualisation of neurocognition.