Gender differences in schizotypal personality in a Chinese population

Studies that have examined schizotypal personality traits using self-reported measures have found gender differences in the expression and degree of schizotypy. Despite the reported presence of schizotypal traits in Asian populations, putative gender differences have been almost entirely derived from studies of Western populations. This study examined the gender effect of schizotypy in a broad sample of the Chinese population in Singapore using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The questionnaire was administered to 538 (308 males and 230 females) subjects (age range of 21–55). As with previous studies, gender differences were related to the presence of negative schizotypal personality traits, namely No Close Friends and Constricted Affect. The spectrum of differences in schizotypy was also extended to the psychosocial sphere as marital status and years of education were significantly associated with several SPQ domains. The findings suggest that there are common elements in Asian and Caucasian populations and that psychosocial risk is an important correlate of schizotypy. The implications of gender differences in the aetiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders are discussed.