[Confirmatory factor analysis of schizotypal personality traits in university students]

Investigating the factor structure of schizotypal traits in normal population is important to describe the clinical phenotypes associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia. Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) is a commonly used self-rated measure to assess schizotypal traits. While Raine's three-factorial model is most commonly supported model explaining factor structure of schizotypal traits, there is also evidence supporting alternative models. The aim of this study is compare the goodness-of-fitness of various models about factor structure of the SPQ in a substantial number of university students.

1059 university students were participated in the study. Alternative models regarding factor structure of the SPQ were compared with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The effect of gender on the factor structure of schizotypal traits is also studied.

The 4 factorial model that included cognitive-perceptual, paranoid, interpersonal and disorganized dimensions fit the data the best. Raine's three factorial model did not fit the data adequately. However, after minor modifications, Raine's model also had a satisfactory goodness-of-fit. Gender had no effect on the factor structure of the SPQ.

Results of these study supported 4-factorial model of Stefanis and modified version of Raine's model to explain factor structure of schizotypal traits. The structure of schizotypal traits is in parallel with structure of symptom dimensions in schizophrenia. This outcome is compatible with the views seeing schizotypal traits in general population in continuum with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.