B-40 Language Performance Is Indirectly Related to Social Functioning through Schizotypal Traits

Abstract

Abstract Objective Individuals with schizotypy have personality traits similar to clinical symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ) but do not meet diagnostic criteria for SZ. One core deficit observed in individuals with SZ and schizotypy is social impairment (SI), although underlying mechanisms of SI are not well understood. Research suggests that, in individuals with SZ, neurocognition is indirectly related to functional outcomes through clinical symptoms. Across the SZ spectrum, cognitive deficits precede the development of both clinical symptoms and SI. Thus, there is reason to believe that in schizotypy, cognitive functioning may also be indirectly related to social functioning through schizotypal traits. However, this relationship has not yet been explored. Method The present study examined the relationships among language performance, schizotypal traits, and social functioning in an undergraduate sample (n = 133). Schizotypal traits were measured by the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire which was used to create high (n = 57) and low (n = 66) schizotypy groups. Results High schizotypy reported greater SI (p < .001) than low schizotypy, but groups did not differ on language performance (all p’s >.05). In the high group only, schizotypal traits were negatively related to performance on some language tasks (p < .01), and to self-reported social functioning (p < .01); and, an indirect relationship between language performance and social functioning through schizotypal traits was observed (B = 13.86, 95% CI [2.87, 28.67]). Conclusions Findings are similar to those observed in SZ and may improve understanding of the mechanisms of SI to better target treatment efforts in SZ spectrum populations.