Julien Laloyaux1,2,3, Frank Larøi1,2,3, Filip Nuyens4,5, Joël Billieux5,6. 1. Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 2. NORMENT - Norwegian Center for Mental Disorders Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 3. Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. 4. International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom. 5. Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgum. 6. Institute for Health and Behavior, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to examine the heterogeneity of attenuated psychotic symptoms (PS) and related personality factors using a cluster analytic approach. METHOD: A large sample of participants from the general population was evaluated in terms of attenuated symptomatology (psychotic and affective) and two personality factors: encoding style and impulsivity traits. RESULTS: Cluster analysis emphasized the existence of five independent clusters: High Psychosis, High Positive, High Negative, High Impulsive-Low Psychosis, and Low Psychosis. Cluster comparisons demonstrated that the personality factors and PS are differentially involved in the clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that reliable and relatively distinct clusters of individuals from the general population can be identified based on established PS and related personality factors. The fact that a variety of profiles was observed contributes to a better understanding of the nature of the heterogeneity characterizing PS and has clear theoretical and clinical implications.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to examine the heterogeneity of attenuated psychotic symptoms (PS) and related personality factors using a cluster analytic approach. METHOD: A large sample of participants from the general population was evaluated in terms of attenuated symptomatology (psychotic and affective) and two personality factors: encoding style and impulsivity traits. RESULTS: Cluster analysis emphasized the existence of five independent clusters: High Psychosis, High Positive, High Negative, High Impulsive-Low Psychosis, and Low Psychosis. Cluster comparisons demonstrated that the personality factors and PS are differentially involved in the clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that reliable and relatively distinct clusters of individuals from the general population can be identified based on established PS and related personality factors. The fact that a variety of profiles was observed contributes to a better understanding of the nature of the heterogeneity characterizing PS and has clear theoretical and clinical implications.