An obsessive-compulsive subtype of schizotypy: evidence from a nonclinical sample

Obsessive-compulsive (OC) and schizotypal symptoms are highly correlated in clinical samples. The current study investigated the presence of schizotypal and OC symptomatology in a large undergraduate sample using factor and cluster analysis and t test comparison of cluster groups. Separate clusters of individuals reporting high levels of schizotypal and OC symptoms versus purely schizotypal symptoms emerged and demonstrated different overall symptom profiles. Individuals with high levels of pure schizotypy symptoms demonstrated a prevalence of interpersonal symptoms, including restricted affect, and few close friends. In contrast, those with high levels of both schizotypy and OC symptoms demonstrated higher cognitive/perceptual symptoms, including ideas of reference and suspiciousness. Consistent with research in clinical populations, results suggest greater prevalence of positive symptoms in individuals experiencing both schizotypal and OC disorder symptoms.