Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale Research Articles

Moral learning and positive schizotypy: Social cognitive mechanisms in psychosis- proneness

BackgroundDelusional thoughts such as paranoia and conspiratorial thinking reflect beliefs in others' intentions to do harm. Given the integral role of harm evaluation in moral cognition, a better understanding of how psychosis-prone individuals process others' moral characters may provide insights into social cognitive mechanisms of these types of delusions. MethodsAn online sample of 293 participants was drawn from the general population, using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants performed a moral inference task, where they predicted and judged the binary choices of two fictitious agents (“good” or “bad”) to impose harm under different levels of financial incentives. An investment game involving the same agents then examined participants' trust behavior. Psychosis-proneness was measured with the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale Brief Edition. ResultsA set of multiple regressions showed that positive schizotypy was associated with a lower yet more confident pre-experimental expectation of the agent's moral character, lower prediction accuracy of the agent's harm preferences, less belief revision, and undifferentiated perception of the good and bad agents' characters. Positive schizotypy was also related to higher expectations for reciprocity in the investment game, regardless of agent characters. ConclusionOur findings suggest that inflexible beliefs associated with psychosis-proneness extend beyond negative prior expectations, also reflecting difficulties in moral learning. The resulting undifferentiated moral impressions might contribute to undue suspicion of benevolent individuals and increased gullibility to malicious ones, potentially further strengthening conspiratorial beliefs.

Can you believe your eyes? Positive schizotypy is associated with increased susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion

Background and hypothesisVisual illusions provide a unique opportunity to understand cognitive and perceptual alterations in schizophrenia-spectrum conditions. Schizophrenia patients often exhibit increased susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion. Here, we investigate susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer visual illusion in the general population with different levels of schizotypy. Study designWe assessed a population-based convenience sample (N = 263) on an online platform. In addition to basic demographics, participants completed the Müller-Lyer illusion, the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) to measure perceptual anomalies, and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale – Brief (MSS-B) for schizotypic traits. To evaluate what predicts susceptibility to the illusion, we fitted a large set of multilevel logistic regression models and performed model averaging over the coefficients. Study resultsWe found support for increased illusion susceptibility among individuals with high positive schizotypy. However, we did not find a comparable effect for anomalous perceptions alone, or for negative or disorganized schizotypy. ConclusionsThe increased Müller-Lyer effect in positive schizotypy might be specific to delusion-like beliefs and magical ideation. Further research is needed to clarify how a hierarchical Bayesian formulation of brain function (e.g. imbalances between bottom-up perceptual processing and substantial reliance on prior expectations) can account for the Müller-Lyer effect in schizophrenia-spectrum conditions.

Replication of the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with interview-assessed symptoms and impairment: Convergence with previous studies.

Schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology appears best understood as being expressed across a continuum of clinical and subclinical symptoms and impairment referred to as schizotypy. This brief report describes a comprehensive replication study examining the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with interview ratings of impairment, psychopathology, and personality pathology in a sample of 161 young adults. Consistent with past studies, positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy had distinct and hypothesized associations with symptoms and impairment. Positive schizotypy was associated with prodromal symptoms and schizotypal, paranoid, and borderline personality traits. Negative schizotypy was associated with impaired functioning, negative symptoms, and schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid traits, as well as any broad personality disorder diagnosis; it was also associated with never having dated. Disorganized schizotypy was associated with impaired functioning, disorganized schizotypic experiences, attentional deficits, and schizotypal, paranoid, borderline, and avoidant personality traits, as well as depression. Overall, we successfully replicated findings from five previous schizotypy interview studies, supporting the construct validity of the multidimensional model of schizotypy and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Disorganized schizotypy and neuroticism in daily life: Examining their overlap and differentiation

Positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy dimensions are associated with differential patterns of symptoms and impairment. Historically, disorganized schizotypy has been the least studied of the three schizotypy dimensions. Disorganized schizotypy has been found to be associated with emotional dysregulation, negative affect, and neuroticism. The current study examined the overlapping and differential associations of disorganized schizotypy and neuroticism with experiences assessed in daily life using experience sampling methodology (ESM). A total of 279 undergraduates completed the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and the NEO-FFI neuroticism subscale, followed by ESM surveys administered eight times daily for one week. The ESM surveys assessed affect, appraisals of the current situation, social experiences, and schizotypic experiences in daily life. Disorganized schizotypy and neuroticism had similar bivariate associations with daily life experiences. However, multilevel regression analyses indicated that, when entered simultaneously, disorganized schizotypy was predominately associated with elevated schizotypic experiences, negative affect, and emotional dysregulation, whereas neuroticism was associated with elevated negative affect and diminished positive affect. The findings indicate that the pathological expressions of disorganized schizotypy are not simply ascribable to its overlap with neuroticism. Furthermore, the results provide further evidence that disorganized schizotypy is a complex construct that involves disruption of emotion regulation, as well as cognition, communication, and behavior.

Trait schizotypy and the psychosis prodrome: Current standard assessment of extended psychosis spectrum phenotypes

Schizotypy has become an increasingly important construct for elaborating psychotic disorders that vary along the schizophrenic spectrum. However, different schizotypy inventories vary in conceptual approach and measurement. In addition, commonly used schizotypy scales have been seen as qualitatively different from screening instruments for prodromal schizophrenia like the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16). Our study investigated the psychometric properties of three schizotypy questionnaires (the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief, Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences, and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale) as well as the PQ-16 in a cohort of 383 non-clinical subjects. We initially evaluated their factor structure using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test a newly proposed composition of factors. PCA results support a three-factor structure of schizotypy that accounts for 71% of the total variance, but also shows cross-loadings of some schizotypy subscales. CFA of the newly composed schizotypy factors (together with an added neuroticism factor) shows good fit. Analyses including the PQ-16 indicate considerable overlap with measures of trait schizotypy, suggesting that the PQ-16 might not be quantitatively or qualitatively different from schizotypy measurements. Taken together, results indicate that there is good support for a three-factor structure of schizotypy but also that different schizotypy measurements grasp facets of schizotypy differently. This points towards the need for an integrative approach for assessing the construct of schizotypy.

Association of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with cluster a, borderline, and avoidant personality disorders and traits.

The present study examined the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy dimensions assessed by the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale with 5 interview-rated personality disorder diagnoses and traits in 151 young adults. As hypothesized, all 3 schizotypy dimensions were associated with impaired functioning. Positive schizotypy was associated with schizotypal and borderline personality traits; negative schizotypy was associated with schizotypal, schizoid, paranoid, and avoidant personality traits; and disorganized schizotypy was associated with paranoid, borderline, and avoidant personality disorder traits. Negative schizotypy predicted broad diagnoses of Cluster A personality disorders. Both negative and disorganized schizotypy predicted the broad diagnosis of any of the 5 personality disorders. The study further examined the association of the schizotypy dimensions with the individual personality disorder criteria to better understand the overall associations. Given the common origins and high comorbidity, we examined whether the schizotypy dimensions explained the association of borderline and schizotypal personality disorder traits. Positive and disorganized schizotypy fully mediated the association between borderline and schizotypal traits. In summary, the study replicated and extended previous findings that the schizotypy dimensions are uniquely associated with personality disorders and traits, as well as impaired functioning, in young adults. The study also provided additional support for the construct validity of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and for the use of psychometric assessment of schizotypy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Increased rates of social defeat and schizotypy in racial minorities

This study examines the extent to which a measure of multidimensional schizotypy is associated with experiences of social defeat. Based on the social defeat hypothesis of psychosis, which suggests that chronic stressful experiences leading to social defeat increase risk for psychotic-like experiences, we expect that individual differences on a schizotypy measure would be explained by differences in social defeat. We hypothesized that racial and ethnic minorities would report higher rates of schizotypy relative to non-minorities and that social defeat would explain those differences. Participants included a community sample of English-speaking adults ages 18 and older, recruited from online social media platforms (N = 501; M age = 28.06). Demographic information was collected, as well as the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale–Brief (Kwapil et al., 2018) and the Defeat Scale (Gilbert & Allan, 1998). Analyses revealed that social defeat and schizotypy scores are highly correlated. Examination of group differences revealed that racial and ethnic minorities reported higher rates of schizotypy and higher rates of social defeat than non-minorities. ANCOVA analyses revealed that, after controlling for social defeat scores, racial and ethnic status was no longer significantly associated with schizotypy scores.

The association of multidimensional schizotypy with symptoms and impairment across racial groups.

The assessment of schizotypy and schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology has historically been adversely impacted by multiple forms of measurement bias, including racial bias. The Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) was developed using modern scale construction methods to minimize measurement bias in the assessment of schizotypic traits. However, studies have not examined the validity of the measurement across different racial groups. The present study examined whether the associations of MSS positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy subscales with interview-assessed ratings of functioning, schizophrenia-spectrum personality traits, and depressive disorders were generally comparable across nonclinically ascertained samples of Black (n = 46), Asian (n = 87), and White (n = 116) young adults. Consistent with previous findings, all three schizotypy subscales were associated with impairment and schizotypal and paranoid traits. Negative schizotypy was associated with schizoid traits, and disorganized schizotypy was associated with depressive disorders. These associations were comparable across the racial groups, supporting the use of the MSS in these groups. Culturally and empirically valid assessments are essential for providing accurate assessments across racial/ethnic groups and reducing the risk of overpathologizing people of color. The present findings support the cross-cultural validity of the MSS; however, future studies should expand upon these findings by including more diverse samples and longitudinal designs.

Convergent validity of the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale.

Schizotypy is the latent personality reflecting the liability to schizophrenia. The Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) is a newly developed questionnaire to measure the levels of schizotypy. The Chinese version of MSS has been developed and previous findings supported its structure validity. The present study aimed to examine the construct validity of the Chinese version of the MSS by correlating it with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). A total of 1359 university students completed the MSS and the SPQ online. The results of 1027 valid participants demonstrated that all MSS dimensions showed good internal consistency. The MSS positive dimension is strongly correlated with SPQ cognitive-perceptual factor, the MSS negative dimension with the SPQ interpersonal factor, and the MSS disorganized dimension with the SPQ disorganized factor. Taken together, our study provides evidence for construct validity of the Chinese version of the MSS.

Subclinical schizotypal vs. autistic traits show overlapping and diametrically opposed facets in a non-clinical population

BackgroundThe overlap of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and psychosis or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) has exposed problems central to conceptualising and understanding co-morbidity in psychiatric disorders. MethodsIn the present study, we demonstrate that a deep phenotyping approach aids clarification of both overlapping and diametrically opposed features of ASD and SSD on the level of trait facets. ResultsWe first show overlap of negative and disorganised (but not positive) features of schizotypy with autistic traits in a sample of n = 376 German non-clinical subjects using multiple psychometric measures of schizotypy (MSS multidimensional schizotypy scale, OLIFE Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences, and SPQ-B schizotypal personality questionnaire – brief) and the AQ autism spectrum quotient, with control measures for affective spectrum pathology (BDI). Findings were then replicated in a French-Swiss sample (n = 264) using MSS, OLIFE, AQ, and in addition the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE). Additional principal component analysis confirmed our finding of the co-existence of both overlapping (loss of function, social communication deficit, and negative schizotypy) as well as diametrically opposed features (AQ attention to detail, positive schizotypy) across the two spectra. Results were validated with Horn's parallel analyses, affirming two component solutions, and PCA using sample-specific, factor-analysis-derived schizotypy scores. ConclusionsProviding a framework for multi-dimensional transdiagnostic characterisation of ASD vs. SSD phenotypes we point out overlapping vs. discriminating facets. In addition to the use of novel multidimensional schizotypy scales, it also shows transcultural consistency of findings, and highlights a particular role for the attention to detail AQ subscale.

A brief questionnaire measure of multidimensional schizotypy predicts interview-rated symptoms and impairment.

The present study employed structured diagnostic interviews to assess the construct validity of the brief version of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS-B), which was developed to assess positive, negative, and disorganized dimensions of schizotypy. It was hypothesized that the MSS-B subscales would be associated with differential patterns of symptoms and impairment, comparable to findings for the full-length MSS. A total of 177 young adults completed structured diagnostic interviews assessing symptoms and impairment. As hypothesized, MSS-B positive schizotypy was significantly associated with interview ratings of positive (psychotic-like) symptoms, as well as schizotypal and paranoid personality disorder traits. MSS-B negative schizotypy was associated with interview ratings of negative symptoms, as well as schizoid, paranoid, and schizotypal traits. Furthermore, negative schizotypy predicted Cluster A personality disorder diagnoses. MSS-B disorganized schizotypy was associated with interview ratings of disorganized symptoms. All three schizotypy dimensions were associated with impaired functioning. This was the first study to evaluate the validity of the MSS-B using interview measures, and the pattern of findings for each MSS-B subscale was closely comparable to the findings for the full-length MSS. Contrary to our hypothesis, cannabis use was largely unassociated with psychotic-like symptoms and did not moderate the expression of the schizotypy dimensions. The MSS-B has good psychometric properties, high concordance with the full-length MSS, and good construct validity. Thus, it appears to be a promising brief alternative to traditional schizotypy measures.

Anterior vs Posterior Hippocampal Subfields in an Extended Psychosis Phenotype of Multidimensional Schizotypy in a Nonclinical Sample.

Numerous studies have implicated involvement of the hippocampus in the etiology and expression of schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology, and reduced hippocampal volume is one of the most robust brain abnormalities reported in schizophrenia. Recent studies indicate that early stages of schizophrenia are specifically characterized by reductions in anterior hippocampal volume; however, studies have not examined hippocampal volume reductions in subclinical schizotypy. The present study was the first to examine the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy dimensions with hippocampal subfield volumes in a large sample (n = 195) of nonclinically ascertained young adults, phenotyped using the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS). Hippocampal subfields were analyzed from high-resolution 3 Tesla structural magnetic resonance imaging scans testing anatomical models, including anterior vs posterior regions and the cornu ammonis (CA), dentate gyrus (DG), and subiculum subfields separately for the left and right hemispheres. We demonstrate differential spatial effects across anterior vs posterior hippocampus segments across different dimensions of the schizotypy risk phenotype. The interaction of negative and disorganized schizotypy robustly predicted left hemisphere volumetric reductions for the anterior and total hippocampus, and anterior CA and DG, and the largest reductions were seen in participants high in negative and disorganized schizotypy. These findings extend previous early psychosis studies and together with behavioral studies of hippocampal-related memory impairments provide the basis for a dimensional neurobiological hippocampal model of schizophrenia risk. Subtle hippocampal subfield volume reductions may be prevalent prior to the onset of detectable prodromal clinical symptoms of psychosis and play a role in the etiology and development of such conditions.

Using multiple measures of openness to experience to capture positive, negative, and disorganized dimensions of schizotypy.

The underlying vulnerability for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders is expressed across a continuum of clinical and subclinical symptoms and impairment known as schizotypy. Schizotypy is a multidimensional construct with positive, negative, and disorganized dimensions. Models of normal personality provide useful frameworks for examining the multidimensional structure of schizotypy. However, the relationship of schizotypy with openness to experience has been largely limited to studies using the five-factor model of personality, which may not adequately capture maladaptive expressions of openness. Therefore, this study examined the relationship of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with multiple measures of openness that capture adaptive and maladaptive aspects of the construct. MTurk and university participants (n = 1,281) completed the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and five measures of openness. As hypothesized, positive schizotypy was generally associated with elevated openness, especially measures tapping oddness and eccentricity, whereas negative schizotypy was inversely associated with openness, especially measures assessing openness to feelings. Disorganized schizotypy was generally unassociated with openness. Principal components analysis of 15 openness facets revealed four factors: Fantasy/Feelings, Ideas, Eccentricity, and Nontraditionalism, and provided more nuanced understanding of the associations of schizotypy and openness. Positive schizotypy was associated with each factor (albeit inversely with Nontraditionalism), negative schizotypy was inversely associated with Fantasy/Feelings but positively associated with Eccentricity, and disorganized schizotypy was only associated with Eccentricity. These results support the construct validity of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and highlight that the association of schizotypy and openness is best understood by considering the multidimensionality of both constructs and evaluating adaptive and maladaptive openness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

A multimodal imaging study of brain structural correlates of schizotypy dimensions using the MSS

Schizotypy is a multidimensional construct of subclinical schizophrenia-like behavioural traits and cognition. The recently developed multidimensional schizotypy scale (MSS) provides an improved psychometric assessment of the three main dimensions (positive, negative, and disorganised). We tested the hypothesis that the three dimensions are related to brain structural variation in the precuneus and fronto-thalamo-striatal system in a new non-clinical healthy cohort to support a dimensional model of the psychosis spectrum. We analysed data from 104 subjects with Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) phenotyping and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance images using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) applying CAT12 software, and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) with TBSS in FSL to test for correlations with MSS scores. MSS subscales and total score were negatively associated with GMV in brain areas including the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and lateral prefrontal and orbital cortex. MSS schizotypy was associated with white matter integrity in anterior thalamic radiation, uncinate fasciculus, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Our findings provide first direct evidence for an association of schizotypy (as a psychosis risk phenotype) and the fronto-thalamo-striatal system, in both grey and white matter with regionally diverging effects across single dimensions. This provides new evidence arguing for the fronto-striatal system (rather than precuneus) in schizotypy.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS): Convergent evidence from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Schizotypy has been shown to be a time-stable construct that exists across the schizophrenia spectrum. The Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) was developed to capture the three factors underlying schizotypy: positive, disorganized and negative schizotypy. However, a recent validation study reported a four-factor construct with an additional negative social anhedonia factor. The factor structure of the Chinese version of the MSS remains unknown. This study aimed to identify and validate the factor structure of the Chinese version of the MSS. We recruited 641 Chinese speakers via on-line advertisement. We administered the Chinese version of the MSS, which was a self-report instrument. The scale consists of 77 items with true or false response options. We identified and removed 43 outliers. Finally, a total of 294 participants were randomly selected as the derivative sample for exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The remaining 304 participants were retained as the validation sample for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA identified four factors: the positive factor, the disorganization factor, the negative affective and motivational anhedonia factor, and the negative social anhedonia factor. The EFA-identified four-factor model was compared with the unidimensional, three-factor bifactorial and theoretical three-factor models using CFAs. The three-factor bifactorial model fitted the data better than the EFA-identified four-factor model. Our finding suggests that the Chinese version of the MSS is a valid tool for assessing schizotypy in the Chinese setting.

Differential item functioning of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and Multidimensional Scale-Brief across ethnicity.

Schizotypy refers to traits or symptoms similar to schizophrenia, but in a diminished form, and schizotypy is thought to reflect a liability for the future development of schizophrenia. The Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) is a new measure of schizotypy that improves on existing measures. The MSS contains full and brief subscales for positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy. Although MSS scores have been validated in a variety of populations, the scales have not been thoroughly examined for differential item functioning in East Asian, Southeast Asian, Hispanic, Multiracial, and White participants. The current study included 567 East Asian, 351 Southeast Asian, 360 Hispanic, 230 Multiracial, and 345 White undergraduate participants from the United States. Overall, few of the items in the full or brief versions of the scales displayed differential item functioning across groups. The full and brief versions of the scales also displayed similar and not-significantly different validity coefficients with the Detachment and Psychoticism scales of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5. These findings suggest that the MSS measures the same constructs across ethnic groups, and the scale scores represent the same latent level of schizotypy among groups. Future research may use the MSS in these diverse groups without concern that the psychometric properties differ significantly among groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Positive, Negative, and Disorganized Schizotypy Predict Differential Patterns of Interview-Rated Schizophrenia-Spectrum Symptoms and Impairment.

The present study assessed the construct validity of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS). Specifically, it assessed the associations of the MSS positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy subscales with interview-rated symptoms and impairment in 177 young adults. As hypothesized, the MSS positive schizotypy subscale was associated with interview-rated positive symptoms, and schizotypal and paranoid personality traits. Negative schizotypy was associated with interview-rated negative symptoms, and schizotypal and schizoid traits, and elevated rates of schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders. Disorganized schizotypy was associated with disorganized symptoms and attentional deficits. All three subscales were associated with impaired functioning. This was the first study to evaluate the validity of the MSS using interview measures. The findings indicate that the schizotypy dimensions are associated with unique patterns of symptoms and impairment, and support the validity of the MSS.

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale–Brief: Item and Scale Test–Retest Reliability and Concordance of Original and Brief Forms

We conducted 2 studies examining the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale–Brief (MSS–B). These studies offered the first examination of the scales’ test–retest reliability (dependability), impact of testing interval on test–retest reliability, and concordance of the 2 versions. The MSS and MSS–B contain positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy subscales that reflect current models of schizotypy. In Study 1, MTurk participants (n = 245) completed the scales at 2 assessments across a 7-week time interval. Test–retest reliabilities (intraclass correlations) ranged from .84 to .90 for the MSS subscales and from .77 to .85 for the MSS–B subscales, and were unaffected by the interval length between administrations. The association between the same subscales of the MSS and MSS–B across the 2 assessments ranged from .79 to .87, indicating good correspondence between the MSS and MSS–B. Scores on the MSS–B subscales in Study 1 were derived from the full-length MSS. Therefore, we replicated the findings using the actual MSS–B subscales in Study 2 in 3 samples (total n = 339). The results indicated that the MSS and MSS–B have good internal consistency and test–retest reliabilities (dependability), and that there is high concordance between the full-length and brief versions.

Exploratory Graph Analysis of the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale

The present study examined the dimensional structure underlying the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) and its brief version (MSS-B). We used Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) to evaluate their dimensional structure in two large, independent samples (n = 6265 and n = 1000). We then used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to compare the fit of the theoretical dimensions with the EGA dimensions. For the MSS, EGA identified four dimensions: positive schizotypy, two dimensions of negative schizotypy (affective and social anhedonia), and disorganized schizotypy. For the MSS-B, EGA identified three dimensions, which corresponded to the theorized positive, negative, and disorganized dimensions. Based on the MSS's EGA dimensions, we also estimated a four-factor model for the MSS-B. The CFA comparison found that the four-factor model fit significantly better than the theoretical three-factor model for both the MSS and MSS-B, providing support for the theoretical model and offering a more nuanced interpretation of the negative schizotypy factor. In addition, EGA also revealed that the positive and negative schizotypy dimensions of the MSS and MSS-B might be mediated by the disorganized dimension. Our findings offer new implications for future research on the MSS and MSS-B dimensions that may provide differential associations with interview and questionnaire measures.

Association of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy dimensions with affective symptoms and experiences

Schizotypy offers a useful construct for investigating the etiology, development, and expression of schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology, as well as the comorbid expression of mood and anxiety disorders across the schizophrenia spectrum. The present study examined the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with affective symptoms and experiences in a sample of MTurk workers and college students (n = 575). Participants completed the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) and measures of depression, anxiety, social phobia, hypomanic traits, and state affect. As expected, positive schizotypy was significantly associated with hypomanic traits, whereas negative schizotypy was associated with reduced positive affect and reduced hypomanic traits. Although prior research has emphasized the association of positive schizotypy with depression and anxiety, the current results demonstrate that disorganized schizotypy is more strongly associated with elevated negative affect (over-and-above positive schizotypy). As such, these findings highlight the importance of examining disorganization of affect, in addition to the cognitive-behavioral deficits traditionally associated with disorganized schizotypy. Finally, the MSS and MSS-Brief demonstrated closely comparable findings. The present results provide further support for the construct validity of the MSS and the three-factor model of schizotypy.