Toward a More Psychometrically Sound Brief Measure of Schizotypal Traits: Introducing the SPQ-Brief Revised

Abstract

Psychometric case identification of individuals at risk for developing schizophrenia-spectrum disorders is an important enterprise. Unfortunately, current instruments for this purpose are limited. The present studies sought to improve the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-Brief), a measure of schizotypal traits that has come under recent criticism. In the first study, we conducted exploratory factor analysis on the SPQ-Brief using a Likert-style scoring format in a large sample of nonclinical adults. Although acceptable internal consistency was found, the original factor structure was not supported. In the second study, we administered the full version of the SPQ to a separate large nonclinical adult sample and employed exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to identify critical items that could be used to revise the SPQ-Brief. The end product of these studies is the SPQ-Brief Revised, which offers a subordinate seven-factor and super-ordinate three or four factor solution, employs a Likert-scale format to improve sensitivity, and is brief (34 items).

Some Personality Characteristics of College Students Reporting Frequent Nightmares

“…For instance, the Schizotypic and Paranoia scales were two of the most highly correlated AMPI clinical scales (Kelly, 2012a); they might both be tapping schizotypal characteristics. Indeed, suspiciousness has been included in measures of schizotypal personality (Cohen, Matthews, Najolia, & Brown, 2010). Higher Hypomania scores for the nightmare group in the current study also were not expected.…”

Category fluency in psychometric schizotypy: how altering emotional valence and cognitive load affects performance

“…The SPQ-BR (Cohen, Matthews, Najolia, & Brown, 2010) consists of 34 Likert-scale items (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree) and was used to determine group status. The SPQ-BR was developed from the Schizotypy Personality Questionnaire (SPQ; Raine, 1991), has a similar three factor structure (positive, negative, disorganized), and has demonstrated strong .…”

An event-related potential investigation of error monitoring in adults with a history of psychosis

“…The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief Revised (SPQ-BR; Cohen et al, 2010), a 32-item self-report questionnaire derived from the original SPQ (Raine, 1991), was administered to assess traits found in schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) consistent with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Seven subscales developed from factor analysis load onto three superordinate factors.…”