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The Effect of Anxiety on the Cognitive Functioning in Non-clinical Schizotypal Individuals

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Abstract

Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) is characterized by eccentric behavior and perceptual distortions that closely resemble the patterns observed in those with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia and related personality disorders (i.e., SPD) are associated with deficits in sustained attention, slower than normal reaction times, and manifestations of working memory deficits and erratic cognitive tasks. The present study used the schizotypal personality scale (STA) to compare cognitive abilities of self-reported low schizotypic tendency subjects with high schizotypic tendency subjects. The group scores on the STA differed significantly. Those with high STA scores also tended to have higher state and trait anxiety scores based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The groups did not significantly differ on any of the demographic variables tested, including age, education, self-rated health status, and medication. Along with an executive function test, two computerized tasks tested subjects on reaction time and memory. Even when covariates (i.e., state, trait anxiety scores) were analyzed, there were no significant differences between the groups and tasks, although the gathered data showed trends in the expected direction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Corwin-Larimore Rm. 215, 319 Harvard Street Stop 8380, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-8380, USA

    Stephanie Stelton & F. Richard Ferraro

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  1. Stephanie Stelton
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  2. F. Richard Ferraro
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Correspondence to F. Richard Ferraro.

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Stelton, S., Ferraro, F.R. The Effect of Anxiety on the Cognitive Functioning in Non-clinical Schizotypal Individuals. Curr Psychol 27, 16–28 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-008-9021-2

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