Amotivation as central to negative schizotypy and their predictive value for happiness

Negative schizotypal traits may be related to anhedonia and/or amotivation; however it is unclear which of these symptoms is related to negative schizotypy to a greater extent. Moreover, the impact of schizotypal traits on overall subjective well-being remains uncertain. The present study examined these two questions in a non-clinical sample assessed for schizotypal traits (n = 138). Schizotypal traits were measured using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, amotivation was assessed using Marin’s Apathy Evaluation Scale, anhedonia was assessed using the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale, and happiness was assessed using both the Satisfaction with Life Scale and a single-item happiness measure. Greater schizotypal traits were individually associated with both greater anhedonia and amotivation. Amotivation was a key predictor of negative schizotypy, with no independent predictive value offered by hedonic capacity. Furthermore, schizotypal traits, particularly negative schizotypal traits, were significantly associated with lower levels of happiness. This relationship between negative schizotypy and happiness remained even after controlling for the influence of amotivation. Our findings affirm that negative schizotypal traits are more closely related to symptoms of amotivation rather than anhedonia. Potential mechanisms mediating the relationship between negative schizotypy and happiness are discussed; nonetheless, future research exploring such mechanisms underlying lower well-being in schizotypy is needed. 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.