Assessment in Schizotypy: A Systematic Review towards Clinical and Personality Models

Abstract

Introduction: research carried out regarding the psychological concept of schizotypy responds to a field of extensive development since its conceptualization decades ago, which includes schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). However, controversies still persist marked by the difficulty of establishing definitive consensus. Objective: the research purpose aimed to synthesize the empirical evidence involved in the use of various methodologies and tools for understanding schizotypy. Methodology: A systematic review was carried out in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Taylor and Francis, Wiley, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PsycNet. By using the PRISMA guidelines, 65 studies published in the last decade (2010-2020) were discriminated. Results: The synthesis of cumulative knowledge made it possible to define schizotypy as an integrating multidimensional construct and to identify valid assessment tools in use, in its psychometric, clinical, and personality characterizations. Discussion/Conclusions: Clinical implications found in these reports are addressed, as well as notions of the continuum of psychoses, taxonomic, and multidimensional models.