A confirmatory factor analysis of the structure of schizotypy

Abstract

Recent research into schizotypal traits has been concerned with the number and nature of these personality dimensions. Earlier exploratory factor analytic work using a wide variety of scales (the CSTQ) has generated a four‐factor solution but other solutions have been provided by other investigators. This study uses confirmatory factor analysis on a large sample to compare several plausible models of the relationships between scales. These models include a two‐factor model separating ‘positive’ from ‘negative’ schizotypal features, a three‐factor model including features of cognitive disorganization, and the four‐factor model generated previously by exploratory factor analysis. Results offer support for the four‐factor solution as the only structure meeting multiple criteria for goodness of fit. The relevance of Eysenck's dimensions, and the P scale in particular, to the results is discussed. Attention is drawn to the possibility that the factors describe predispositions of risk of psychotic disorders beyond that of schizophrenia.