title: The schizotypal ambivalence scale as a marker of schizotypy.
abstract: The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Schizotypal Ambivalence Scale (SAS) in a sample of 1798 young adults. The study also investigated the concurrent validity of the measure for identifying schizophrenic-like symptoms in a sample of 43 high scorers on the scale and 43 control participants. Previous findings indicated that high scores on the SAS were associated with schizophrenia-spectrum pathology in a sample of schizotypic young adults selected with other measures. However, this is the first study to assess schizophrenic-like psychopathology in a sample selected using the SAS. The SAS has good internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.84) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.74 across 9 weeks). As hypothesized, the ambivalence group exceeded the control group on interview ratings of schizotypal, schizoid, paranoid, psychotic-like, and negative symptoms, as well as exhibiting poorer overall functioning. The SAS seems to be a promising measure of schizotypy in young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Monica C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Amanda G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: Neus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barrantes-Vidal
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Raulin
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kwapil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010260:Paranoid Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011599:Psychopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology