I do not have a copy of the APA style guide so I do not know their specific rules for outlines. So this is going to be my opinion as someone who has done a large amount of technical and business writing.
From what I see online, every item in an APA outline gets a letter or number. So there does not seem to be an option of nothing at all.
In general, a topic should not even have only one subtopic.
For example:
Item I.B.1 should be 1) removed altogether, 2) absorbed into its heading, or 3) other subtopics added. The rationale applied in each one of these situations is below:
Solution 1. The subheading is really just another way to state its heading and it is not a subtopic.
B. Contention for resources
Solution 2. The subheading just extends its heading but is not a subtopic.
B. Contention for scarce resources
Solution 3. The subheading is only one of other subtopics that should be included.
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