Negative schizotypy attenuates the effect of momentary stress on social dysfunction related to COVID-19 social distancing

Authors

Michael D. Masucci, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. Electronic address: mmich24@lsu.edu.
Victoria Martin, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
Thanh P. Le, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Alex S. Cohen, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2022

Abstract

Schizotypy is associated with a broad range of motivational and social dysfunctions. However, there is reason to suspect that negative schizotypy may limit social dysfunction in specific contexts that typically increase isolation and loneliness. We analyzed whether positive, negative and disorganized facets of schizotypy would mitigate detrimental reactions to stress in the context of a global stressor (the COVID-19 pandemic) that has widely necessitated social and physical isolation. Responses to two measures of schizotypy were compared to ecological momentary assessments of social dysfunction for 85 undergraduates using multilevel modelling techniques. Negative schizotypy moderated the relation between momentary stress and loss of social support, such that negative schizotypy limited the magnitude of social dysfunction stemming from increases in momentary stress. This pattern was not seen for other facets of schizotypy. Implications for the treatment and measurement of schizotypy symptoms are discussed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Schizophrenia research

First Page

24

Last Page

31

Recommended Citation

Masucci, M. D., Martin, V., Le, T. P., & Cohen, A. S. (2022). Negative schizotypy attenuates the effect of momentary stress on social dysfunction related to COVID-19 social distancing. Schizophrenia research, 243, 24-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2022.02.028