Schizotypal traits, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and social functioning in adolescents

The relationship between self-reported social functioning, schizotypal traits, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) was studied in a sample of 508 adolescents, of which 49.8% were male adolescents, with a mean age of 14.9 (SD, 1.6). The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire–Brief, Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory and Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale was administered. The results showed that schizotypal personality in adolescents consists of 4 factors (Interpersonal, Disorganized, Paranoia and Magical Ideation) which are associated with OCS in nonclinical populations. The canonical correlation analysis showed that schizotypal traits and OCS shared 18% of the variance. Social functioning was negatively related to schizotypal personality traits; however, no relationship was found between social functioning and OCS. The data highlight the overlap between schizotypal traits and OCS, as well as the deficits in self-reported social functioning in schizotypal subjects. Future studies should focus on the link between these 2 constructs and study in depth the role that social functioning may be playing.