Sex Differences in Symptom Presentation of Schizotypal Personality Disorder in First-Degree Family Members of Individuals with Schizophrenia
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a devastating illness, with clinical symptoms generally characterized as positive or negative. The reach of SCZ is broad, significantly impacting economic, social and familial facets of life. Current literature suggested optimal treatment for individuals with SCZ must include medication management and family psychological interventions to achieve patient stabilization. Literature has identified a likely familial and genetic link between individuals with SCZ and schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) in first-degree family members (FDFM), and has proposed a similar sex distinction with regard to symptomatology in STPD often noted in SCZ. The results of this investigation yielded clinically significant information; however, none of the study hypotheses was supported. Sex differences were not observed between relatives, compared with healthy comparison participants: male parents compared with female parents, and siblings compared with comparison subjects. A noteworthy finding was that relatives, including siblings, were found to endorse more symptoms significantly consistent with STPD when compared with healthy comparison subjects in all analyses. Implications for training and treatment were discussed. Limitations of the study and directions for future research were also addressed.
Author: Alexandra Duncan-Ramos
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1574670667