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Krkovic K, Nowak U, Kammerer MK, Bott A, Lincoln TM. Aberrant adapting of beliefs under stress: a mechanism relevant to the formation of paranoia? Psychol Med 2023; 53:1881-1890. [PMID: 34517931 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Difficulties in the ability to adapt beliefs in the face of new information are associated with psychosis and its central symptom - paranoia. As cognitive processes and psychotic symptoms are both known to be sensitive to stress, the present study investigated the exact associations between stress, adapting of beliefs [reversal learning (RL), bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE), and jumping to conclusions (JTC)] and paranoia. We hypothesized that paranoia would increase under stress and that difficulties in adapting of beliefs would mediate or moderate the link between stress and paranoia. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the investigated effects would be strongest in the group of individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. METHODS We exposed 155 participants (38 diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, 40 individuals with attenuated psychotic symptoms, 39 clinical controls diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 38 healthy controls) to a control condition and a stress condition, in which we assessed their levels of paranoia and their ability to adapt beliefs. We applied multilevel models to analyze the data. RESULTS Paranoia was higher in the stress condition than in the control condition, b = 1.142, s.e. = 0.338, t(150) = 3.381, p < 0.001. RL, BADE, and JTC did not differ between conditions and did not mediate or moderate the association between stress and paranoia (all ps > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results support the assumption that stress triggers paranoia. However, the link between stress and paranoia does not seem to be affected by the ability to adapt beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Krkovic
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Nowak
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathias K Kammerer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Bott
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania M Lincoln
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Masucci MD, Martin V, Le TP, Cohen AS. Negative schizotypy attenuates the effect of momentary stress on social dysfunction related to COVID-19 social distancing. Schizophr Res 2022; 243:24-31. [PMID: 35231831 PMCID: PMC9189049 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizotypy is associated with a broad range of motivational and social dysfunctions. However, there is reason to suspect that negative schizotypy may limit social dysfunction in specific contexts that typically increase isolation and loneliness. We analyzed whether positive, negative and disorganized facets of schizotypy would mitigate detrimental reactions to stress in the context of a global stressor (the COVID-19 pandemic) that has widely necessitated social and physical isolation. Responses to two measures of schizotypy were compared to ecological momentary assessments of social dysfunction for 85 undergraduates using multilevel modelling techniques. Negative schizotypy moderated the relation between momentary stress and loss of social support, such that negative schizotypy limited the magnitude of social dysfunction stemming from increases in momentary stress. This pattern was not seen for other facets of schizotypy. Implications for the treatment and measurement of schizotypy symptoms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Masucci
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,Address correspondence to: Michael Masucci, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70808,
| | - Victoria Martin
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thanh P. Le
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alex S. Cohen
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Buchanan T, Kempley J. Individual differences in sharing false political information on social media: Direct and indirect effects of cognitive-perceptual schizotypy and psychopathy. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Liu J, Yang T, Zhou L, Gong J, He Y, Cui X, Luo X, Wu J. Association between schizotypal personality traits and emotional instability: mediation and moderation analysis among Chinese college students. J Affect Disord 2021; 291:83-92. [PMID: 34023751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies identified an association between schizophrenia and emotional instability. However, the relationship between schizotypal personality traits and emotional instability has not been explored to date. Furthermore, both mediating and moderating factors need to be identified. METHODS A total of 2936 students completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), the Affective Lability Scale-Short Form (ALS-SF), and the Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS). RESULTS 1) The total scores of DACOBS (and all dimensions) and ALS-SF (and all dimensions) in the high schizotypal personality trait group were higher than in the low schizotypal personality trait group (all P < 0.05). 2) SPQ score and DACOBS social cognition problems, subjective cognitive problems, jumping to conclusions bias, and external attribution bias subscale scores positively predicted the total score of ALS-SF (or the dimensions of ALS-SF) in both male and female populations (all P < 0.05). 3) In the male population, DACOBS social cognition problems, subjective cognitive problems, jumping to conclusions bias, and external attribution bias subscale scores mediated the relationship between SPQ score and ALS-SF total score (or its subscales). In the female population, DACOBS attention for threat bias, external attribution bias, jumping to conclusions bias, social cognition problems, and subjective cognitive problems subscale scores mediated the relationship between SPQ score and ALS-SF total score (or its subscales). 4) Gender exerted a moderating effect on this relationship between SPQ score and ALS-SF total/anxiety-depression score (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Schizotypal personality traits might influence emotional instability through cognitive biases, and the degree of this influence varies depending on gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Liu
- Department of Child Psychiatry of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center; Shenzhen University, Mental Health School, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Tingyu Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Lihua Zhou
- College of Education Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Jingbo Gong
- Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 41000, China
| | - Yuqiong He
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xilong Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xuerong Luo
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Junduan Wu
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530000, China.
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Kozhuharova P, Diaconescu AO, Allen P. Reduced cortical GABA and glutamate in high schizotypy. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2459-2470. [PMID: 34146134 PMCID: PMC8373725 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Abnormal functioning of the inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and excitatory (glutamate) systems is proposed to play a role in the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Although results are mixed, previous 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies in schizophrenia and clinical high-risk samples report these metabolites are altered in comparison to healthy controls. Currently, however, there are few studies of these metabolites in schizotypy samples, a personality dimension associated with the experience of schizophrenia and psychosis-like symptoms. OBJECTIVES We investigated if GABA and glutamate metabolite concentrations are altered in people with high schizotypy. We also explored the relationship between resilience to stress, GABA metabolite concentrations and schizotypy. METHODS We used MRS to examine GABA and glutamate levels in the medial prefrontal cortex in people with low and high schizotypy traits as assessed with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Resilience to stress was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. RESULTS Compared to individuals with low schizotypy traits, high schizotypy individuals showed lower cortical prefrontal GABA (F (1,38) = 5.18, p = 0.03, η2 = 0.09) and glutamate metabolite levels (F (1, 49) = 6.25, p = 0.02, η2 = 0.02). Furthermore, participants with high GABA and high resilience levels were significantly more likely to be in the low schizotypy group than participants with low GABA and high resilience or high GABA and low resilience (95% CI 1.07-1.34, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that subclinical schizotypal traits are associated with abnormal functioning of both inhibitory and excitatory systems and suggest that these transmitters are implicated in a personality trait believed to be on a continuum with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya Kozhuharova
- Centre for Cognition, Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Ave, Roehampton, London, SW15 4JD, UK.
| | - Andreea O Diaconescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain and Therapeutics, Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Allen
- Centre for Cognition, Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Ave, Roehampton, London, SW15 4JD, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Le TP, Lucas HD, Schwartz EK, Mitchell KR, Cohen AS. Frontal alpha asymmetry in schizotypy: electrophysiological evidence for motivational dysfunction. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2020; 25:371-386. [PMID: 32873177 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2020.1813096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Schizotypy is defined as personality traits reflecting an underlying risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. As yet, there is a dearth of suitable objective markers for measuring schizotypy. Frontal alpha asymmetry, characterised by reduced left versus right frontal region activity, reflects trait-like diminished approach-related systems and has been found in schizophrenia. Methods: The present study used electroencephalography (EEG) recorded on a consumer-grade mobile headset to examine asymmetric resting-state frontal alpha, beta, and gamma power within the multidimensional schizotypy (e.g. positive, negative, disorganised) during a three-minute "eyes closed" resting period in college undergraduates (n=49). Results: Findings suggest that schizotypy was exclusively related to reduced left versus right-lateralised power in the alpha frequency (8.1-12.9 Hz., R2= .16). Follow-up analysis suggested that positive schizotypy was uniquely associated with increased right alpha activity, indicating increased withdrawal motivation. Conclusions: Frontal asymmetry is a possible ecologically valid objective marker for schizotypy that may be detectable using easily accessible, consumer-grade technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh P Le
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Heather D Lucas
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Elana K Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Kyle R Mitchell
- Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alex S Cohen
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Minor KS, Hardin KL, Beaudette DM, Waters LC, White AL, Gonzenbach V, Robbins ML. Social functioning in schizotypy: How affect influences social behavior in daily life. J Clin Psychol 2020; 76:2212-2221. [PMID: 32613629 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social deficits are already exhibited by people at risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Technological advances have made passive detection of social deficits possible at granular levels. METHOD In this real-world study, we tested if schizotypy status (high/low) predicted two types of social behavior: (1) being around other people; and (2) actively socializing with others. We also examined if schizotypy influences relationships between social behavior and affect using subjective and objective instruments. RESULTS Our findings revealed that socializing with others was significantly decreased in the high schizotypy group. Positive affect increased in social situations and predicted later social behavior in those low, but not high, in schizotypy. CONCLUSION Decreased social behavior in schizotypy may be explained, in part, by these individuals being less incentivized than their peers to pursue social situations. Future studies should test this explanation in larger samples exhibiting elevated positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle S Minor
- Department of Psychology, IUPUI School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kathryn L Hardin
- Department of Psychology, IUPUI School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Danielle M Beaudette
- Department of Psychology, IUPUI School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lesley C Waters
- Department of Psychology, IUPUI School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Anna L White
- Department of Psychology, IUPUI School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Megan L Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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