Schizotypy From a Developmental Perspective

Abstract

The schizotypy construct focuses attention on the liability to develop schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, yet traditionally, the schizotypy models have put more emphasis on stress-vulnerability interactions rather than developmental dynamics of emerging risk for psychopathology. Indeed, developmental accounts of this emerging personality trait have rarely been explicitly formulated. In this position article, we wish to convey some of the basic developmental tenets of schizotypy, and how they can inform high-risk research. Firstly, we tackle the state vs trait issue to outline the possible relationship between high-risk states and trait schizotypy. Second, we review the evidence suggesting that the consolidation of schizotypy, encompassing its 3 main dimensions, could be considered as a developmental mediator between very early risk factors and transition into highrisk states. Importantly, developmental dynamics between endophenotypes, as well as transactional and epigenetics mechanisms should enter modern conceptualizations of schizotypy. Finally, we present a developmental psychopathology perspective of schizotypy sensitive to both the multifinality and equifinality of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. We conclude that schizotypy represents a crucial construct in a fully-developmental study of schizophreniaspectrum disorders.

Lifetime prevalence and potential determinants of psychotic experiences in the general population of Qatar

“…As the literature is still unclear whether schizotypy and PEs index the same phenotype or measure different, but overlapping phenotypes (Debbane and Barrantes-Vidal, 2015;Torgersen, 1985); we conducted a sensitivity analysis that assumed both constructs index the same phenotype and calculated a composite severity score that captured the distribution of the sample on the total number of psychotic experiences and OBMT items…”

Latent profile analysis of psychosis liability in a community‐derived sample of adolescents: Links with mental health difficulties, suicidal ideation, bipolar‐like experiences and psychotic‐like experiences

“…PLEs by definition are transitory in nature and tend to disappear over time (symptom‐like approach). This phenomenon is characterized, in the majority of previous research, by positive experiences (eg, hallucinatory experiences, suspiciousness or magical ideation) (Debbané & Barrantes‐Vidal, ; Fonseca Pedrero & Debbané, ; Linscott & van Os, ). In particular, previous research has shown that schizotypal traits are a valid putative liability marker for psychotic spectrum disorders.…”

Exploring electrophysiological correlates of social cognition in subclinical schizotypy

“…Recent research suggests positive schizotypy overlaps substantially with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, but links to negative, disorganization and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may be weaker . Given this complexity, researchers are seeking links between dimensions of the schizotypy continuum and more endophenotypic constructs related to psychosis …”

“…15 Given this complexity, researchers are seeking links between dimensions of the schizotypy continuum and more endophenotypic constructs related to psychosis. [16][17][18] Impairments in social cognition and behaviour are found in schizophrenia 19 and the schizophrenia prodrome, 20 stimulating the hypothesis that such impairments in schizotypy represent mechanisms of vulnerability. In schizophrenia, these impairments are associated with more basic neurocognitive performance, 21 as well as abnormalities in brain function as measured by eventrelated electrophysiological responses (ERPs) to social stimuli, e.g.…”