The schizotypal ambivalence scale as a marker of schizotypy

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2008 May;196(5):399-404. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181710900.

Abstract

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Schizotypal Ambivalence Scale (SAS) in a sample of 1798 young adults. The study also investigated the concurrent validity of the measure for identifying schizophrenic-like symptoms in a sample of 43 high scorers on the scale and 43 control participants. Previous findings indicated that high scores on the SAS were associated with schizophrenia-spectrum pathology in a sample of schizotypic young adults selected with other measures. However, this is the first study to assess schizophrenic-like psychopathology in a sample selected using the SAS. The SAS has good internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.84) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.74 across 9 weeks). As hypothesized, the ambivalence group exceeded the control group on interview ratings of schizotypal, schizoid, paranoid, psychotic-like, and negative symptoms, as well as exhibiting poorer overall functioning. The SAS seems to be a promising measure of schizotypy in young adults.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Paranoid Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Paranoid Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychopathology
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Students / psychology