Psychosocial Stress, Social Support, and the Escalation of Schizotypal Symptoms

Although research suggests that psychosocial stress is associated with an increase in schizotypal symptoms, the type of stressor associated with increased symptomatology is unclear, and no study has examined whether social support might mitigate the effects of stress on symptom change. In this study, 131 young adults completed measures of schizotypal symptoms, major life events, daily hassles, and perceptions of social support at baseline, and measures of stress and symptoms again 4 to 6 weeks later. Results indicated, after controlling for baseline measures, that for those scoring low on schizotypal measures at baseline, only low levels of social support were associated with increased symptoms. For those scoring high on the schizotypal scales at baseline, however, both major life events and daily hassles were associated with increased symptomatology, but only when perceptions of social support at baseline were low. The results suggest that it is important to assess both perceptions of social support and baseline symptomatology when examining whether major life events and daily stress are associated with increased psychotic symptoms. Both types of psychosocial stress are associated with an increase in symptoms, but only for those who are already showing above average symptoms and only when social support is low.