ford-factoranalysisdemonstrates-2014.pdf (546.04 kB)
Factor analysis demonstrates a common schizoidal phenotype within autistic and schizotypal tendency: implications for neuroscientific studies
journal contribution
posted on 2014-08-27, 00:00 authored by Talitha FordTalitha Ford, David P CrewtherBehavioral and cognitive dysfunction, particularly social and communication impairments, are shared between autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, while evidence for a diametric autism-positive schizophrenia symptom profile is inconsistent. We investigated the shared phenotype at a personality trait level, particularly its resemblance to schizoid personality disorder, as well as differential aspects of the autism-schizophrenia model. Items of the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) and schizotypal personality questionnaire (SPQ) were pseudo-randomly combined, and were completed by 449 (162 male, 287 female) non-clinical participants aged 18-40. A factor analysis revealed three factors; the first represented a shared social disorganization phenotype, the second reflected perceptual oddities specific to schizotypy while the third reflected social rigidity specific to autism. The AQ and SPQ were strongly correlated with Factor 1 (AQ: r = 0.75, p < 0.001; SPQ: r = 0.96, p < 0.001), SPQ score was correlated with Factor 2 (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), particularly in cognitive-perceptual features (r = 0.66, p < 0.001), and AQ score was strongly correlated with Factor 3 (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no relationship between Factor 1 and Factor 2. Thus, there is robust evidence for a shared social disorganization phenotype in autistic and schizotypal tendency, which reflects the schizoid phenotype. Discriminating and independent dimensions of schizotypal and autistic tendency exist in Factors 2 and 3, respectively. Current diagnostic protocols could result in different diagnoses depending on the instrument used, suggesting the need for neuromarkers that objectively differentiate autistic and schizotypal traits and resolve the question of commonality versus co-morbidity.
History
Journal
Frontiers in psychiatryVolume
5Article number
117Publisher
Frontiers MediaLocation
Lausanne, SwitzerlandPublisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1664-0640Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2014, Ford and CrewtherUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
autismautistic traitsfactors analysisschizoid personality disorderschizophreniaschizotypal personality traitsScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePsychiatryCHILDHOOD-ONSET SCHIZOPHRENIASPECTRUM QUOTIENTPERSONALITY-DISORDERSSOCIAL ANHEDONIAFRONTAL-LOBETRAITSCHILDRENQUESTIONNAIREIMPAIRMENTSADOLESCENTS
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC