Comparisons of schizotypal traits across 12 countries: Results from the International Consortium for Schizotypy Research

Fonseca-Pedrero, E.; Chan, R. C. K.; Debbane, M.; Cicero, D.; Zhang, L. C.; Brenner, C.; Barkus, E.; Linscott, R. J.; Kwapil, T.; Barrantes-Vidal, N.; Cohen, A.; Raine, A.; Compton, M. T.; Tone, E. B.; Suhr, J.; Muniz, J.; de Albeniz, A. P.; Fumero, A.; Giakoumaki, S.; Tsaousis, I.; Preti, A.; Chmielewski, M.; Laloyaux, J.; Mechri, A.; Lahmar, M. A.; Wuthrich, V.; Laroi, F.; Badcock, J. C.; Jablensky, A.; Ortuno-Sierra, J.

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2018.03.021

Background: Schizotypal traits are expressions of underlying vulnerability to psychotic disorders which have a potential impact on mental health status, neurocognition, quality of life, and daily functioning. To date, little research has examined epidemiologic landscape of schizotypal traits at the cross-national level. Our aim was to study the expression of schizotypal traits by sex, age, and country in a combined sample gathered from 12 countries. Methods: A total of 27,001 participants completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The mean age of participants was 22.12 (SD = 6.28); 37.5% (n = 10,126) were males. Results: Schizotypal traits varied according to sex, age, and country. Females scored higher than males in the positive dimension, whereas males scored higher in the disorganization dimension. By age, a significant decrease in the positive schizotypal traits was observed. Epidemiological expression of schizotypal traits varied by country. Moreover, several interactions by sex, age, and country were found. Conclusions: This pattern is similar to those found in patients with psychosis and psychotic-like experiences. These findings provide new insights and the opportunity to explore the phenotypic expression of schizotypal traits at cross-national level.