P0077 - The expression of positive and negative schizotypy in daily life: An experience sampling study

Abstract

Psychometrically identified positive and negative schizotypy are differentially related to psychopathology, personality, and social functioning. However, little is known about the experience and expression of schizotypy in daily life. The present study employed the experience sampling method (ESM) to assess positive and negative schizotypy in daily life in a nonclinical sample of 412 young adults. ESM is a structured diary technique in which participants are prompted at random times during the day to complete an assessment of their current experiences. As hypothesized, positive schizotypy was associated with increased negative affect, thought impairment, suspiciousness, negative beliefs about current activities, and feelings of rejection, but not with social disinterest or decreased positive affect. Negative schizotypy, on the other hand, was associated with decreased positive affect and pleasure in daily life, increased negative affect, and marked decreases in social contact and interest. Both positive and negative schizotypy were associated with the desire to be alone when with others. However, this desire appeared to be moderated by anxiety in positive schizotypy and by diminished positive affect in negative schizotypy. The findings support the construct validity of a multidimensional model of schizotypy and the use of psychometric inventories for assessing these dimensions. ESM appears to be a promising method for examining the daily life experiences of schizotypic individuals.