The Network Structure of Schizotypal Personality Traits.

Elucidating schizotypal traits is important if we are to understand the various manifestations of psychosis spectrum liability and to reliably identify individuals at high risk for psychosis. The present study examined the network structures of (1) 9 schizotypal personality domains and (2) 74 individual schizotypal items, and (3) explored whether networks differed across gender and culture (North America vs China). The study was conducted in a sample of 27001 participants from 12 countries and 21 sites (M age = 22.12; SD = 6.28; 37.5% males). The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) was used to assess 74 self-report items aggregated in 9 domains. We used network models to estimate conditional dependence relations among variables. In the domain-level network, schizotypal traits were strongly interconnected. Predictability (explained variance of each node) ranged from 31% (odd/magical beliefs) to 55% (constricted affect), with a mean of 43.7%. In the item-level network, variables showed relations both within and across domains, although within-domain associations were generally stronger. The average predictability of SPQ items was 27.8%. The network structures of men and women were similar (r = .74), node centrality was similar across networks (r = .90), as was connectivity (195.59 and 199.70, respectively). North American and Chinese participants networks showed lower similarity in terms of structure (r = 0.44), node centrality (r = 0.56), and connectivity (180.35 and 153.97, respectively). In sum, the present article points to the value of conceptualizing schizotypal personality as a complex system of interacting cognitive, emotional, and affective characteristics.

Experiencias esquizotípicas en la adolescencia: propiedades psicométricas del Schizotypal Personality Questionnarie-Child / Schizotypal experiences in adolescence: Psychometric properties of Schizotypal Personality Questionnarie-Child

Las experiencias esquizotípicas son consideradas como la expresión conductual de vulnerabilidad latente a los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la calidad psicométrica del Schizotypal Personality Questionnarie-Child (SPQ-C) en adolescentes no clínicos. La muestra final la formaron un total de 508 participantes, 208 varones, con una media de edad de 13.9 años (DT = 1.7). Los resultados mostraron que las experiencias esquizotípicas son comunes entre la población adolescente. Los modelos dimensionales hipotetizados sometidos a prueba, mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio, indicaron que el modelo tridimensional fue el que mejores índices de ajuste presentó en comparación con los modelos competentes. El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para la puntuación total del SPQ-C fue .90. Las dimensiones del SPQ-C mostraron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas con otros autoinformes que valoraban sintomatología emocional y comportamental y estrés percibido. Ningún elemento del SPQ-C mostró funcionamiento diferencial del ítem para el factor sexo. El SPQ-C presentó un adecuado comportamiento psicométrico en esta muestra. Asimismo, la esquizotipia es un constructo de naturaleza multidimensional que puede ser evaluado de forma precisa en población adolescente con la finalidad de mejorar las estrategias de detección temprana en el campo de los trastornos mentales graves

Schizotypal experiences are considered as the behavioral expression of latent vulnerability to the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The main goal was to analyze the psychometric quality of Schizotypal Personality Questionnarie-Child (SPQ-C) in non-clinical adolescents. The final sample was comprised of a total of 508 participants, 208 were male, with a mean age of 13.9 years (SD = 1.7). The results showed that schizotypal traits are common among adolescents. Hypothesized dimensional models tested by confirmatory factor analysis, indicated the three-dimensional model was the best fit indices presented in comparison with competing models. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total score was .90. The dimensions of the SPQ-C showed significant correlations with self-reports that assessed emotional and behavioral problems and perceived stress. No items on SPQ-C showed differential item functioning by gender. The SPQC scores showed adequate psychometric properties. Also, schizotypy is a multidimensional construct that can be accurately assessed in adolescents in order to improve early detection strategies in the field of severe mental disorders