Associations between schizotypal traits and antisocial behaviors

What is it about?

Schizophrenic symptoms have often been associated with antisocial behaviors (ASBs). Most studies have focused on violence. The association between schizophrenia and violence is often confounded by socio demographic characteristics of patients. Overemphasis on diagnosis, rather than traits, and the traditional focus on violence may have obscured associations between psychotic features and antisocial behaviour. Traits akin to positive symptoms were more strongly associated with antisocial behaviors. Impulsive non-conformity was associated with rule breaking, physical aggression and social aggression for both males and females whilst unusual experiences traits were associated with physical and social aggression in both males and females but had only a weak (gender-nonspecific) association with rule breaking. Finally, cognitive disorganization was not associated with any class of ASB for males but was associated with physical and social aggression in females.

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Why is it important?

The findings show that the specific associations between schizotypal traits and antisocial behaviors could inform the development of more targeted treatment approaches for specific types of ASBs in males and females. They are important to clinicians, counselors, social workers, etc.

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