Examining psychological protective mechanisms as moderators of the association between autistic traits and psychosis expression in a general population twin sample
45
Issued Date
2025-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09209964
eISSN
15732509
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105012294254
Journal Title
Schizophrenia Research
Volume
284
Start Page
133
End Page
140
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Schizophrenia Research Vol.284 (2025) , 133-140
Suggested Citation
Karaçam Doğan M., Fusar-Poli L., Arias-Magnasco A., Pries L.K., Lin B.D., Klingenberg B., Bortoletto R., Colizzi M., Menne-Lothmann C., Decoster J., van Winkel R., Collip D., Delespaul P., De Hert M., Derom C., Thiery E., Jacobs N., van Os J., Rutten B., Luykx J., Prachason T., Guloksuz S. Examining psychological protective mechanisms as moderators of the association between autistic traits and psychosis expression in a general population twin sample. Schizophrenia Research Vol.284 (2025) , 133-140. 140. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2025.08.003 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111590
Title
Examining psychological protective mechanisms as moderators of the association between autistic traits and psychosis expression in a general population twin sample
Author's Affiliation
Yale School of Medicine
Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
University Medical Center Utrecht
Università degli Studi di Pavia
KU Leuven– University Hospital Leuven
Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum+
Università degli Studi di Udine
Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
Ramathibodi Hospital
Open Universiteit
King's Health Partners
Karadeniz Eregli State Hospital
Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
University Medical Center Utrecht
Università degli Studi di Pavia
KU Leuven– University Hospital Leuven
Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum+
Università degli Studi di Udine
Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
Ramathibodi Hospital
Open Universiteit
King's Health Partners
Karadeniz Eregli State Hospital
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Psychological protective factors, such as coping styles, extraversion, and optimal parenting, may reduce the risk of psychosis. However, their role in moderating the association between autistic traits (ATs) and psychosis expression (PE) remains understudied. Methods: This study analyzed the first-wave data from the TwinssCan Project (n = 792 twins and siblings, 60.2 % female, mean age = 17.4 ± 3.6). ATs and PE were assessed using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE), respectively. Multilevel linear regression models were used to evaluate the moderating effects of seven coping styles (active coping, avoidance, reassuring thoughts, expressing emotions, seeking social support, palliative-reacting, and passive-reacting coping), extraversion, and optimal parenting. Results: Seeking social support (B[95 %CI]:-0.005[−0.009,−0.001]), reassuring thoughts (B[95 %CI]:−0.005[−0.009,−0.001]), extraversion (B[95 %CI]: −0.03[−0.04,−0.01]) and optimal parenting (B[95 %CI]: −0.02[−0.03,0]) weakened the associations between ATs and CAPE total frequency scores, suggestive of protective mechanisms, whereas passive-reacting coping (B[95 %CI]:0.007[0.004,0.010]) strengthened this, suggestive of a risk factor. Additionally, avoidance(B[95 %CI]:0.09[0.02,0.16]) emerged as a risk factor in confirmatory analyses by significantly interacting with ATs in predicting CAPE total severity scores. Conclusions: Engagement coping, extraversion, and optimal parenting may mitigate psychosis vulnerability in individuals with higher ATs, while passive-reactive coping and avoidance may heighten psychosis vulnerability. Although further research is needed, our findings provide a rationale for developing and testing targeted preventive strategies aimed at enhancing resilience in individuals with ATs.