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Neurocognition in Psychometrically Defined College Schizotypy Samples: We Are NOT Measuring the “Right Stuff”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2013

Charlotte A. Chun ,
Kyle S. Minor  and
Alex S. Cohen
Charlotte A. Chun
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Kyle S. Minor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alex S. Cohen*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Alex Cohen, Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. E-mail: acohen@lsu.edu
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Abstract

Although neurocognitive deficits are an integral characteristic of schizophrenia, there is inconclusive evidence as to whether they manifest across the schizophrenia-spectrum. We conducted two studies and a meta-analysis comparing neurocognitive functioning between psychometrically defined schizotypy and control groups recruited from a college population. Study One compared groups on measures of specific and global neurocognition, and subjective and objective quality of life. Study Two examined working memory and subjective cognitive complaints. Across both studies, the schizotypy group showed notably decreased subjective (d = 1.52) and objective (d = 1.02) quality of life and greater subjective cognitive complaints (d = 1.88); however, neurocognition was normal across all measures (d's < .35). Our meta-analysis of 33 studies examining neurocognition in at-risk college students revealed between-group differences in the negligible effect size range for most domains. The schizotypy group demonstrated deficits of a small effect size for working memory and set-shifting abilities. Although at-risk individuals report relatively profound neurocognitive deficits and impoverished quality of life, neurocognitive functioning assessed behaviorally is largely intact. Our data suggest that traditionally defined neurocognitive deficits do not approximate the magnitude of subjective complaints associated with psychometrically defined schizotypy. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–14)

Keywords

Risk markerPsychopathologyQuality of lifeMeta-analysisFunctioningStudents
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , March 2013 , pp. 324 - 337
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2013

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