the effect of co-morbidity of positive and negative schizotypal personality traits on treatment outcome of obsessive-compulsive subtypes

background & aim: co-morbidity with schizotypal personality in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd) has been widely reported to be associated with poor treatment response. studies have repeatedly revealed a positive and a negative dimension for schizotypy. the primary aim of the present study was to explore if all or only certain features of schizotypy are predictive for therapy outcome in ocd subtypes. method and materials: the current study was conducted in an experimental research context. thirty adults with ocd were selected through accessible sampling method. they received cognitive behavioral therapy in three groups (pure ocd, ocd with positive schizotypal personality and ocd with negative schizotypal personality). subjects were assessed through administration of spq-b and sta questionnaires. data were analyzed using multiple analysis of covariance (mancova). results: the between groups difference was significant (p < 0.01, f= 6.01, 8.05, 5.71, 6.64). findings revealed that elevated scores in the positive schizotypal scales were highly predictive for treatment failure in ocd subtypes. responders to treatment and non-responders did not significantly differ on scores in negative schizotypal scales. conclusion: it is concluded that positive and negative schizotypal traits have different effects on treatment outcome of ocd. this study suggests that positive (not negative) schizotypal personality traits are associated with poor treatment response in obsessive-compulsive patients.