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Negative schizotypal traits predict the reduction of reward motivation in effort–reward imbalance

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Abstract

The schizotypy construct is useful for studying the effects of environmental stress on development of subclinical negative symptoms. The relationship among self-report motivation, effort–reward imbalance (ERI), and schizotypal features has seldom been studied. We aimed to examine the possible moderation effect of schizotypal traits on ERI and reward motivation. Eight-hundred-and-forty-three college students were recruited online to complete a set of self-reported measures capturing schizotypal traits, effort–reward imbalance and reward motivation, namely the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), the Effort–Reward Imbalance-School Version Questionnaire (C-ERI-S) and the Motivation and Pleasure Scale-Self Report (MAP-SR). We conducted multiple linear regression to construct models to investigate the moderating effects of schizotypal traits on the relationship between ERI and reward motivation. Stressful ERI situation predicted the reduction of reward motivation. Negative schizotypal traits showed a significant negative moderating effect on the relationship between ERI and reward motivation, while positive and disorganized schizotypal traits had significant positive moderating effects. Schizotypal traits subtypes differently moderate the relationship between ERI and reward motivation. Only negative schizotypal traits and stressful ERI situation together have negative impact on reward motivation.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant the CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Institute of Psychology and the Philip K. H. Wong Foundation. The Chinese version of the Effort-reward Imbalance-School Version (C-ERI-S) Questionnaire was developed and provided by Dr. Jian Li.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China

    Yong-jie Yan, Hui-xin Hu, Ling-ling Wang, Yi-jing Zhang, Jia Huang & Raymond C. K. Chan

  2. Sino-Danish College of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Yong-jie Yan & Raymond C. K. Chan

  3. Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, China

    Yong-jie Yan

  4. Department of Psychology, The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Hui-xin Hu, Ling-ling Wang, Yi-jing Zhang, Jia Huang & Raymond C. K. Chan

  5. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China

    Simon S. Y. Lui

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  1. Yong-jie Yan
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Yan, Yj., Hu, Hx., Wang, Ll. et al. Negative schizotypal traits predict the reduction of reward motivation in effort–reward imbalance. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 273, 439–445 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01419-3

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