Psychometric properties of the schizotypal personality questionnaire-brief revised (SPQ-BR) in a German-speaking sample.

Schizotypy refers to personality traits linked to an increased risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD). The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief Revised (SPQ-BR) is a widely used 32-item self-report measure, but its psychometric properties in German-speaking populations are unexplored. This study comprised 738 individuals, including 33 with SSD, and 148 with other mental disorders. Participants (mean age: 38 years, 77% female) completed an online survey that included the German version of the SPQ-BR (SPQ-BR-G) and additional measures to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability, latent factor structure, and validity were assessed. The SPQ-BR-G demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.91), good convergent validity (r = 0.52-0.58), and discriminant validity (r < 0.50) for the cognitive-perceptual and disorganized factors. Confirmatory factor analysis supported three- and four-factor solutions, while a single-factor model demonstrated poor fit. Subjective well-being was negatively associated with the SPQ-BR-G, after adjusting for sex, age, and education. Compared to the survey sample, SSD patients scored significantly higher on all factor levels and most items (p < 0.05), with 35% ranking in the top SPQ-BR-G decile. In SSD patients, moderate to high correlations were observed between the negative (r = 0.86, p < 0.001) and positive (r = 0.53, p < 0.05) dimensions of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the SPQ-BR-G. The SPQ-BR-G shows robust psychometric properties, supporting its use in schizotypy research. Its validation enhances cross-cultural comparisons and may aid in early risk and biological risk factor identification for SSD.
Mental Health
Access
Policy
Advocacy

Authors

Gajic Gajic, Fitzner Fitzner, Schulze Schulze, Klusmann Klusmann, Giemsa Giemsa, Grant Grant, Becker Becker, Hahne Hahne, Zierhut Zierhut, Ripke Ripke, Braun Braun, Kraft Kraft
View on Pubmed
Share
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Linkedin
Copy to clipboard