Childhood imaginary companion and schizotypy in adolescents
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of childhood Imaginary Companion (IC) in schizotypy levels of adolescents within the framework of the Hierarchical Taxonomy Of Psychopathology (HiTOP).Method: Subjects were 96 adolescents (15 to 18 years old) voluntarily participating via either e-questionnaires on a website (N=56) or pen-paper method (N=40). Participants (61 females) were grouped based on the status of their childhood IC (with or without). Schizotypy dimensions scores were compared between these two groups. Thought Problems and Withdrawn/Depressed scores of ASEBA-YSR questionnaire were used as two scales to measure Thought Disorder and Detachment spectra of HiTOP model. Scores of these two spectra were compared between IC and non-IC groups. These two spectra were also correlated with Unusual Experiences (UnEx) and Introvertive Anhedonia (IntAn) dimensions of O-LIFE schizotypy inventory. Data collection was administered using a researcher-made questionnaire for IC status, Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE) for schizotypy dimensions, and Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment-Youth Self-Report (ASEBA-YSR) for Thought Disorder and Detachment spectra of HiTOP model.Results: UnEx dimension and overall schizotypy score of IC group were higher than non-IC group. There is positive correlation between UnEx dimension and Thought disorder spectrum.