Cognitive fusion and affective isolation: Blurred self-concept and empathy deficits in schizotypy

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 271; pp. 178 - 186
• Main Authors: Kállai, János, Rózsa, Sándor, Hupuczi, Ernő, Hargitai, Rita, Birkás, Béla, Hartung, István, Martin, László, Herold, Róbert, Simon, Mária
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.01.2019
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.11.045

•High absorption score predicts high scores on both SPQ-BR Cognitive and SPQ-BR Disorganization factors.•High cognitive empathy predicts low SPQ-BR Cognitive and SPQ-BR Interpersonal scores.•High affective empathy predicts high scores on the SPQ-BR Interpersonal factor.•Deficiency in the coherence of self-description predicts elevated score in SPQ-BR Cognitive, Interpersonal, and Disorganization schizotypy symptoms.•The results are a support for the minimal self-disturbance model (IDM introduced by Sass and Parnas, 2003). This is a cross-sectional nonclinical sample study to examine the different levels of the Ipsiety Disturbance Model (IDM) for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (introduced by Sass and Parnas, 2003). Three faces of schizotypy were studied: diminished self-presence, hyper-reflexivity, and distortion in experience of own self and another person's self-discrimination. A sample of college students (N = 1312) was provided a questionnaire packet that contained the Schizotypy Personality Questionnaire Brief–Revisited (SPQ-BR), the Self-Concept Clarity Sale, the Tellegen Absorption Scale, and Interpersonal Reactivity Index measures. Results: higher absorption capabilities predict higher scores on both the SPQ-BR cognitive and SPQ-BR disorganization factors. High scores in cognitive empathy predicted a low score on both SPQ-BR cognitive and SPQ-BR interpersonal scores. In contrast, higher affective empathy predicted high scores on the SPQ-BR interpersonal factor. The deficiency in self-concept clarity predicted an elevated score on the SPQ-BR cognitive, interpersonal, and disorganization schizotypy symptoms. We argue that a lack of self-concept clarity manifested in both the hyperreflexivity level (measured by absorption) and the metallization level (measured by empathy). We argue that the IDM is a reliable way to interpret functioning with different levels of schizotypy.