Early life factors of schizotypal personality disorder in adolescents: A systematic review.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) affects 4% of the general population in the United States. The identification of early life factors (ELFs) that confer risk to SPD in adolescents (ages 10-24years old) has become a major focus of clinical research on schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. This systematic review aims to determine what ELFs contribute to the onset of SPD in the adolescent population. A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Psychiatry online, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and CINAHL databases was conducted using relevant keywords. Data were extracted using a standardized form following PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-four studies met the criteria for inclusion. ELFs in the development of SPD were grouped into two important clusters: (a) prenatal and early postnatal factors; (b) childhood trauma and parental factors. Mental health nurses, especially nurses in primary care, should be aware of potentially modifiable ELF. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the causative roles of these ELF play in the occurrence of SPD by using rigorous measurements. These findings call for awareness of the modifiable ELF for SPD and also inform possible future interventions to reduce these risks, such as parent-training or environmental enrichment programmes.