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

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Thomas R. Kwapil, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Schizotypy has become an increasingly important construct for elaborating psychotic disorders that vary alongthe 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 screeninginstruments 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 MultidimensionalSchizotypy Scale) as well as the PQ-16 in a cohort of 383 non-clinical subjects. We initially evaluated their factorstructure using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test a newlyproposed composition of factors.PCA results support a three-factor structure of schizotypy that accounts for 71 % of the total variance, but alsoshows cross-loadings of some schizotypy subscales. CFA of the newly composed schizotypy factors (together withan added neuroticism factor) shows good fit. Analyses including the PQ-16 indicate considerable overlap withmeasures of trait schizotypy, suggesting that the PQ-16 might not be quantitatively or qualitatively different fromschizotypy measurements.Taken together, results indicate that there is good support for a three-factor structure of schizotypy but alsothat different schizotypy measurements grasp facets of schizotypy differently. This points towards the need for anintegrative approach for assessing the construct of schizotypy.

Additional Information

Publication
Schizophrenia Research 254 (2023)
Language: English
Date: 2023
Keywords
schizotypy, prodrome, schizophrenia, psychosis, factor analysis

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