Self-reported sensory responsiveness patterns in typically-developing and early-onset schizophrenia adolescents: Its relationship with schizotypal and autistic traits

Han-Yu Zhou; Han-Xue Yang; Xi-Long Cui; Li-Juan Shi; Jing-Bo Gong; Simon S Y Lui; Eric F C Cheung; Katsumi Watanabe; Raymond C K Chan

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.002

Self-reported sensory responsiveness patterns in typically-developing and early-onset schizophrenia adolescents: Its relationship with schizotypal and autistic traits

J Psychiatr Res. 2020 Dec:131:255-262. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.002. Epub 2020 Oct 4.

Authors

Han-Yu Zhou¹, Han-Xue Yang¹, Xi-Long Cui², Li-Juan Shi³, Jing-Bo Gong⁴, Simon S Y Lui⁵, Eric F C Cheung⁶, Katsumi Watanabe⁷, Raymond C K Chan⁸

Affiliations

¹ Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
² Mental Health Institute, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
³ School of Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, China.
⁴ Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.
⁵ Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Psychiatry, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
⁶ Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
⁷ Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Art & Design, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address: rckchan@psych.ac.cn.

PMID: 33035958
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.002

Abstract

Altered behavioural responses to sensory stimuli, including both hypo- and hyper-reactivity, have been found in individuals with schizophrenia. However, how specific sensory responsiveness patterns are associated with symptomatology of schizophrenia remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to examine sensory responsiveness in typically-developing (TD) adolescents (n = 98) and adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) (n = 29) and investigate the relationship between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness patterns. All participants completed the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP), the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results showed that higher levels of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity coexisted in EOS patients and were correlated with positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Atypical sensory experiences except for sensory seeking were found to be positively correlated with higher levels of schizotypal traits regardless of diagnostic status. Moreover, the strength and pattern of such correlations were comparable in both EOS and TD groups. This study also provided evidence that higher levels of autistic traits would intensify the positive correlation between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness abnormalities, suggesting an additive effect of co-occurring schizotypal and autistic traits on atypical sensory experiences. These findings extend previous research by depicting sensory responsiveness patterns in younger populations with schizophrenia, and may have implications for future development of sensory-related interventions in clinical settings.

Keywords: Adolescents; Autistic traits; Early-onset schizophrenia; Schizotypal traits; Sensory responsiveness patterns.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Autistic Disorder*
Humans
Schizophrenia*
Schizotypal Personality Disorder*
Self Report
Surveys and Questionnaires