Subtyping attenuated psychotic symptoms: A cluster analytic approach

Objective The aim of the present study is to examine the heterogeneity
of attenuated psychotic symptoms (PS) and related personality
factors using a cluster analytic approach.
Method A large sample of participants from the general population
was evaluated in terms of attenuated symptomatology (psychotic
and affective) and two personality factors: encoding style and impulsivity
traits.
Results Cluster analysis emphasized the existence of five independent
clusters: High Psychosis, High Positive, High Negative, High
Impulsive-Low Psychosis, and Low Psychosis. Cluster comparisons
demonstrated that the personality factors and PS are differentially
involved in the clusters.
Conclusions The present study demonstrated that reliable and relatively
distinct clusters of individuals from the general population can
be identified based on established PS and related personality factors.
The fact that a variety of profiles was observed contributes to a better
understanding of the nature of the heterogeneity characterizing
PS and has clear theoretical and clinical implications.