How to tell a happy from an unhappy schizotype: personality factors and mental health outcomes in individuals with psychotic experiences.
Letícia O Alminhana, Miguel Farias, Gordon Claridge, Claude R Cloninger, Alexander Moreira-Almeida
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 2017 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-1944 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional interview study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 115 |
| Population | Individuals reporting a high frequency of psychotic experiences |
| Measures | Temperament and Character Inventory (140), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences |
| Key findings | The authors report that self-directedness predicted lower schizotypy, particularly cognitive disorganization (β = -0.356) and impulsive non-conformity (β = -0.313), while harm avoidance predicted cognitive disorganization (β = 0.319) and novelty seeking predicted bipolar disorder (β = 0.136) and impulsive non-conformity (β = 0.322). They argue personality traits help distinguish healthy from unhealthy schizotypal individuals and may moderate the mental health impact of anomalous experiences. |
Abstract
It is unclear why some individuals reporting psychotic experiences have balanced lives while others go on to develop mental health problems. The objective of this study was to test if the personality traits of harm avoidance, self-directedness, and self-transcendence can be used as criteria to differentiate healthy from unhealthy schizotypal individuals. We interviewed 115 participants who reported a high frequency of psychotic experiences. The instruments used were the Temperament and Character Inventory (140), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, and the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences. Harm avoidance predicted cognitive disorganization (β = 0.319; t = 2.94), while novelty seeking predicted bipolar disorder (β = 0.136, Exp [β] = 1.146) and impulsive non-conformity (β = 0.322; t = 3.55). Self-directedness predicted an overall decrease in schizotypy, most of all in cognitive disorganization (β = -0.356; t = -2.95) and in impulsive non-conformity (β = -0.313; t = -2.83). Finally, self-transcendence predicted unusual experiences (β = 0.256; t = 2.32). Personality features are important criteria to distinguish between pathology and mental health in individuals presenting high levels of anomalous experiences (AEs). While self-directedness is a protective factor, both harm avoidance and novelty seeking were predictors of negative mental health outcomes. We suggest that the impact of AEs on mental health is moderated by personality factors.