Positive and negative schizotypy are associated with prodromal symptoms, schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms and personalities, and self and other schemas

Abstract

The present study examined the validity of psychometrically assessed positive and negative schizotypy in 214 young adults. Schizotypy provides a useful construct for understanding the etiology and development of schizophrenia and related disorders. The present study expands on previous findings by examining the validity of the schizotypy dimensions in a Spanish sample and employing a widely-used interview measure of the schizophrenia prodrome. As hypothesized, positive schizotypy predicted CAARMS ultra high-risk or psychosis threshold status, and both dimensions predicted the presence of schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders. Furthermore, positive schizotypy was associated with psychotic-like, paranoid, schizotypal, and mood symptoms, whereas negative schizotypy was associated with interview ratings of negative and schizoid symptoms. Positive schizotypy was associated with increased negative self and other schemas, whereas negative schizotypy was associated with decreased positive self and other schemas. The findings provide further construct validation of positive and negative schizotypy and support these dimensions as universal constructs.