Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Kevin Bolinskey

Second Advisor

Ted Maldonado

Third Advisor

Elizabeth A. Smith

Abstract

Schizotypy has been linked with many of the proposed endophenotypes of schizophrenia, but research is limited on the relationship between schizotypy and dermatoglyphic fluctuating asymmetry. The present study sought to examine relationships between schizotypy, dermatoglyphic fluctuating asymmetry, handedness, and season of birth. 146 undergraduate students were identified as schizotypes (n = 52) or controls (n = 94) based on the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale and had their finger and palm prints collected along with completing additional measures of schizotypy and handedness. Schizotypes did not exhibit a greater degree of dermatoglyphic fluctuating asymmetry, negative schizotypy was associated with increased absolute finger ridge count discordance, palmar A-B ridge count was associated with increased non-right handedness, and schizotypes were nearly twice as likely to be born in the winter months. These findings provide further support for dermatoglyphic fluctuating asymmetry as an endophenotype of schizophrenia. Limitations of the present study and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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