Schizotypal experiences in adolescence: Psychometric properties of Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Child.

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Schizotypal experiences are considered as the behavioral expression of latent vulnerability to the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The main goal was to analyze the psychometric quality of Schizotypal Personality Questionnarie-Child (SPQ-C) in non-clinical adolescents. The final sample was comprised of a total of 302 participants, 133 were male, with a mean age of 15.6 years (SD = 1.6). The results showed that schizotypal traits are common among adolescents. Hypothesized dimensional models tested by confirmatory factor analysis, indicated the three-dimensional model (disorganized) was the best fit indices presented in comparison with competing models. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total score was .88. The dimensions of the SPQ-C showed significant correlations with self-reports that assessed emotional and behavioral problems and perceived stress. No items on SPQ-C showed differential item functioning by gender. The SPQ-C scores showed adequate psychometric properties. Also, schizotypy is a multidimensional construct that can be accurately assessed in adolescents in order to improve early detection strategies in the field of severe mental disorders.