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Schizotypy and help-seeking for anxiety
1School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
|November 26, 2020
Summary
High schizotypal traits and anxiety significantly delay individuals from seeking help. Understanding these factors is crucial for early anxiety intervention and managing potential links to psychotic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Anxiety often leads to delayed help-seeking, impacting long-term outcomes.
- High schizotypy is linked to anxiety and psychotic symptom development, making timely intervention critical.
- Understanding factors influencing help-seeking in high schizotypes is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of schizotypal traits on help-seeking behavior for anxiety.
- To examine the role of anxiety itself in help-seeking delays.
- To explore the relationship between these factors and seeking professional mental health support.
Main Methods:
- A large non-clinical student sample (N=800) participated in an online study.
- Participants completed validated questionnaires: Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (vignette version).
- Data analysis compared help-seekers and non-help-seekers based on trait and symptom scores.
Main Results:
- Lower anxiety scores correlated with better recognition of others' need for help.
- A trend suggested lower schizotypal traits were linked to better self-help recognition.
- Individuals who actively sought help (N=163) exhibited significantly higher schizotypal and anxiety scores.
Conclusions:
- Schizotypal traits are an independent factor contributing to delayed help-seeking for anxiety.
- Seeking informal support from individuals with anxiety symptoms can postpone formal help-seeking.
- The findings highlight the complex interplay between schizotypy, anxiety, and help-seeking pathways.
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