Can disorganized and positive schizotypy be discriminated from dissociation?

Schizotypy is thought to reflect liability for schizophrenia and involves at least 3 facets: disorganized, positive, and negative. However, it is unclear whether disorganized and positive facets can be discriminated from dissociation. In the current study with college students (N=325), the best-fitting confirmatory factor model included 3 factors: (a) disorganization, (b) positive-dissociation, and (c) negative. In addition, the pattern of associations with the disorganization and the positive-dissociation factors with individual difference variables was very different. Disorganization was associated with (a) poor cognitive estimation and increased ADHD symptoms, (b) increased emotional confusion, and (c) increased neuroticism and decreased conscientiousness. In contrast, the positive-dissociation factor was associated with (a) an increased influence of emotion on thinking, (b) self-reported childhood abuse, and (c) increased openness to experience. Overall, these results suggest that disorganized schizotypy can be discriminated from dissociation but that positive schizotypy may not be easily discriminated from dissociation.