Positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy have differential patterns of emotion expression and regulation

Abstract

Positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy are differentially associated with affective expression, including mean levels and temporal patterns. Extending these findings, we examined intensity, beliefs, and management of emotions in multidimensional schizotypy, as these features may explain differential patterns of affect. The present study examined the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy, as measured by the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS), with self-reported emotional intensity, awareness, and regulation strategies, and beliefs about the controllability of emotions in a sample of young adults (n = 1233). As hypothesized, disorganized schizotypy was robustly associated with multiple emotional difficulties, including diminished positive affect, emotional clarity, cognitive reappraisal, and beliefs about emotional controllability, as well as increased negative affect, general emotional intensity, and neuroticism. Negative schizotypy demonstrated diminished emotional engagement, including diminished positive affect, general emotional intensity, attention to emotions, and emotional clarity, and increased suppression. Positive schizotypy was associated with neuroticism and cognitive reappraisal. This study replicated findings regarding associations of multidimensional schizotypy and emotional expression, especially for negative and disorganized schizotypy. Furthermore, our study provides clarification regarding factors that may contribute to differential emotional expression in multidimensional schizotypy. Lastly, our results provide additional support for the construct validity of the MSS and three-factor model of schizotypy.