Exploring the associations between dimensions of schizotypy and social defeat

ABSTRACT Background This study investigated relationships between self-reported experiences of social defeat and individual dimensions of self-reported schizotypy. Methods 1632 adults aged between 18 and 79 participated across two non-clinical samples (n = 920, n = 712). Multiple regression analyses tested the relationships between dimensions of schizotypy and social defeat. Results The analyses demonstrated evidence of relationships between increased overall schizotypy and increased social defeat, with schizotypal suspiciousness and disorganised or constrained thought and speech consistently emerging as the two most important individual predictors. Conclusion These results suggest that increased schizotypy is associated with increased social defeat, although the specific relationships may depend on the specific aspects of social defeat and schizotypy being measured. Future research should investigate whether social defeat plays a role in the manifestation of specific schizotypy traits.