Clinical validity and utility of network analysis in clinical practice

This dissertation aims to investigate the clinical validity and utility of fully idiographic network analysis (FINA) in clinical practice. Moving from an exploration of FINA empirical research using FINA to estimate person-specific networks in individuals with mental health conditions, it then explores FINA’s potential in clinical practice. Chapter 1 presents an introduction on the importance of exploring the validity and utility of network analysis in clinical practice. Chapter 2 presents a systematic scoping review of studies applying FINA in mental health, highlighting common methodological practices and trends, while identifying areas for improvement. This review sets the stage for understanding how FINA has been applied to date and highlights further developments needed for its effective application in clinical research and practice. Chapter 3 describes an empirical study testing the clinical validity and utility of FINA by comparing empirical symptom networks, estimated on patient data using FINA, with clinician-predicted symptom networks in their ability to predict subsequent patient functioning. Additionally, the study explores both clinicians’ and patients’ perspectives on FINA’s utility in routine clinical settings. Chapter 4 presents a general discussion on the clinical validity and utility of using NA to construct person-specific networks, with a focus on the findings, limitations, and implications of both the scoping review and empirical study, as well as directions for future research. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to advance personalized, data-driven approaches in clinical psychology by examining the clinical validity of FINA and evaluating its applicability in clinical practice. This work assesses FINA’s potential as a tool for predicting patient functioning and improve treatment through support for more individualized interventions.