In conclusion, findings from this national study provide strong support for associations between PDs and the externalizing/internalizing latent structure underlying common psychiatric disorders, but a number of issues beyond the scope of this study need to be addressed in subsequent analyses. The presence of a general PD factor, for example, would suggest the use of hierarchical modeling, the absence of which may confound specific PD associations with other Axis I disorders (Jahng et al., 2011). In addition to the need for replication of the present findings in other general population studies, more conceptually focused studies are required for understanding the role of PDs and internalizing factors for fear and distress.
