Letter to the Editor

Aggressive urges in schizotypy: Preliminary data from an ambulatory study

Self-injurious thoughts (SITs) fluctuate considerably from moment to moment. As such, “static” and temporally stable predictors (e.g., demographic variables, prior history) are suboptimal in predicting imminent SITs. This concern is particularly true for “online” cognitive abilities, which are important for understanding SITs, but are typically measured using tests selected for temporal stability. Advances in ambulatory assessments (i.e., real-time assessment in a naturalistic environment) allow for measuring cognition with improved temporal resolution. The present study measured relationships between “state” cognitive performance, measured using an ambulatory-based Trail Making Test, and SITs. Self-reported state hope and social connectedness was also measured. Data were collected using a specially designed mobile application (administered 4x/week up to 28 days) in substance use inpatients (N = 99). Consistent with prior literature, state hope and social connectedness was significantly associated with state SITs. Importantly, poorer state cognitive performance also significantly predicted state SITs, independent of hallmark static and state self-report risk variables. These findings highlight the potential importance of “online” cognition to predict SITs. Ambulatory recording reflects an efficient, sensitive, and ecological valid methodology for evaluating subjective and objectives predictors of imminent SITs.

Poor social connection or loneliness is a prominent feature of schizotypy and may exacerbate psychosis risk. Previous studies have examined the inter-relationships between loneliness and psychosis risk, but critically, they have largely been conducted in non-clinical samples or exclusively used laboratory questionnaires with limited consideration of the heterogeneity within schizotypy (i.e., positive, negative, disorganized factors). The present study examined links between loneliness and psychotic-like symptoms across the dimensions of schizotypy through cross-sectional, laboratory-based questionnaires (Study 1; N = 160), ambulatory assessment (Study 2; N = 118) in undergraduates, and ambulatory assessment in inpatients in a substance abuse treatment program (Study 3; N = 48). Trait positive schizotypy consistently predicted cross-sectional and state psychotic-like symptoms. Loneliness, assessed via cross-sectional and ambulatory means, was largely linked with psychotic-like symptoms. Importantly, psychotic-like symptoms were dynamic: psychotic-like symptoms largely increased with loneliness in individuals with elevated positive and disorganized schizotypal traits, though there were some inconsistency related to disorganized schizotypy and state psychotic-like symptoms. Negative schizotypy and loneliness did not significantly interact to predict psychotic-like symptoms, suggesting specificity to positive schizotypy. Ambulatory approaches provide the opportunity for ecologically valid identification of risk states across psychopathology, thus informing early intervention.