Abstract
Background and Objectives: Schizotypal personality may be seen as both a dimension of normal individual differences and an indicator of the predisposition to schizophrenia and schizotypal-spectrum disorders. Different scales have been ever developed for determining and measuring different aspects of schizotypy; however, little has been done on the translated versions of these models. Among these, Schizotypic Syndrome Questionnaire (SSQ) has been translated to Farsi. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability, validity and factor structure) of the SSQ.
Materials and Methods: In an analytic-descriptive study, 200 students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were recruited during a 12-month period. Translated SSQ (in Farsi) was used in these volunteers. Furthermore, 4-Dimensional Personality Test questionnaire (4DPT) and Dissociative Experiences Scale-II questionnaire (DES-II) were applied. Reliability, validity and factor structure of Farsi version of the SSQ were determined.
Results: Two hundred students, 58 males and 142 females with a mean age of 21.54±2.71 (17-33) years were enrolled. All the scales of the SSQ and its total score had Cronbach's alpha > 0.5 and hence, the Farsi version of this questionnaire was valid. Most scales and the total score of the SSQ were also reliable. There was no significant difference between the two genders. Routine 3 and 12-factor structures were not reproducible for the translated version. There were significant positive correlations between the different scales of the SSQ. Assumed model of causative relations between the 12 scales was similar to the original report according to LISREL test.
Conclusion: Based on our results, the Farsi version of the SSQ is reliable and valid and may be applied in Iranian population. Further studies with larger sample size are recommended to be carried out for factor analysis.