The uncertain self: intolerance of uncertainty moderates the association of positive schizotypal traits and self-concept clarity

Abstract Our objective was to investigate the relationship between self-concept clarity, intolerance of uncertainty, and schizotypal traits, with a focus on whether intolerance of uncertainty moderates the association between self-concept clarity and positive schizotypy in a non-clinical context. A sample of 316 adults (on average 43 (SD=12) years, 247 women) completed the Self-Concept Clarity Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty scale, and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire - Brief Revised. Lower self-concept clarity was significantly associated with higher levels of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy, as well as with greater inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty. Importantly, a moderation analysis revealed that inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty significantly altered the strength of the negative relationship between self-concept clarity and positive schizotypy. Specifically, this association was strongest among individuals with low levels of inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty. In contrast, at higher levels of inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty, the negative relationship between self-concept clarity and positive schizotypy was weaker. This pattern suggests that among those who are less behaviorally inhibited in face of uncertainty, a better defined self-concept is more strongly coupled with lower levels of positive schizotypy. These results underscore the importance of considering both self-structure and uncertainty tolerance in models of schizotypy and psychosis risk. Our findings suggest that self-concept clarity and intolerance of uncertainty are interrelated cognitive factors that synergistically explain variance in schizotypal traits. As intolerance of uncertainty is a potentially modifiable cognitive process, the results have implications for early interventions aimed at reducing psychosis risk by improving self-concept clarity and tolerance for uncertainty. Although the study used a non-clinical sample, it supports a dimensional approach to psychosis and highlights key targets for future interventional research. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement Yes Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The study adhered to the ethical principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the United Ethical Review Committee for Research in Psychology, Hungary (2016/032, 2019/29). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability The dataset is accessible via the Open Science Framework (OSF) at the following link: https://osf.io/xafkn/?view_only=589c8c479f9447dc8b7de0c1085ddfab.