Reward-punishment processing deficits In schizotypy with callous unemotional traits

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with reward-punishment processing deficits. However, these deficits in schizotypy who are at risk for schizophrenia warrants investigation. The present study aimed to investigate reward-punishment processing ability in schizotypy with psychopathic traits, specifically callous-unemotional traits in adolescents and young adults.

Method: Sixty-six participants (mean age: 20.4 years) participated in this study and 60 of them finished all the assessments. The participants were divided into two groups based on their schizotypal characteristics: 28 schizotypy and 32 healthy controls. Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief and Antisocial Processing Screening Device were used to measure participants’ schizotypal characteristics and psychopathic traits respectively. Participants’ reward-punishment processing was assessed by Monetary Incentive Delay Task (MID).

Results: Results showed that the levels of schizotypy (p = .06) and the interaction effect (levels of schizotypy ´ callous-unemotional traits) marginally significantly and significantly predicted the MID accuracy (p = .03). Specifically, the schizotypy group performed less accurately in the MID task when compared to the controls. Callous-unemotional traits were negatively associated with the MID accuracy in schizotypy (r = -.50, p < .05) but not in the controls (p > .05).

Conclusion: Findings suggest that reward-punishment processing is impaired in schizotypy who are at-risk for developing schizophrenia. Particularly, these deficits are exacerbated in those schizotypy individuals with an increased level of callous-unemotional traits. Intervention for schizophrenia spectrum disorders is suggested to incorporate the component to enhance callous-unemotional traits, thereby ameliorating reward-punishment processing deficits in these individuals.