Sierro G, Rossier J, Mohr C. Validation of the French Autism Spectrum Quotient scale and its relationships with schizotypy and Eysenckian personality traits.
Compr Psychiatry 2016;
68:147-55. [PMID:
27234196 DOI:
10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.03.011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Autism and schizophrenia spectra were long considered distinct entities. Yet, recent studies emphasized overlapping clinical and personality features suggesting common mechanisms and liabilities. Independent notions, however, highlight that the two spectra oppose each other socially (positive schizotypal hyper-mentalism versus autistic hypo-mentalism).
METHODS
To clarify these relationships, we used data from 921 French-speaking Swiss undergraduates to firstly validate the French Autism Spectrum Questionnaire (AQ) identifying an optimal factor structure. Secondly, we assessed relationships between this AQ structure and schizotypic personality traits.
RESULTS
Results from correlational and principal component analyses replicated both overlapping and opposing relationships.
CONCLUSIONS
We conjecture that autistic traits opposing positive schizotypy represent autistic mentalizing deficits. We discuss implications of our findings relative to theories of autism and schizophrenia spectrum relationships.
Collapse