title: Effect of theory of mind and peer victimization on the schizotypy-aggression relationship.
abstract: Prior longitudinal studies have established the relationship between schizophrenia and violence. However, previous studies on aggression and schizotypal personality are scarce. The present study examines whether peer victimization mediates the relationship between schizotypy and reactive-proactive aggression, and whether theory of mind (ToM) moderates this mediation. Schizotypy, peer victimization, reactive-proactive aggression, and ToM were assessed in 237 undergraduates. Peer victimization mediated the relationship between schizotypy and reactive aggression. ToM moderated this mediation effect; although peer victimization partially explains the schizotypy-aggression relationship, higher ToM skills weakened the detrimental effect of schizotypy on peer victimization which in turn reduces reactive aggression. In contrast, the moderated mediation was not significant for the proactive aggression model. Findings help delineate the underlying mechanism of the relationship between schizotypy and aggression. It is suggested that aggression could be reduced by enhancing ToM skills, thereby reducing peer victimization and the resultant schizotypy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Bess Y H
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raine
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Tatia M C
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lee