Research Interests
- Schizotypy and schizophrenia spectrum
- Bipolar spectrum psychopathology
- Experience Sampling Methodology
Research Description
My program of research investigates schizotypy and schizophrenia from experimental and developmental psychopathology perspectives. My research focuses on developing and testing symptom, personality, neurocognitive, biobehavioral, and genetic associates of schizotypy. This program of research traces its roots back to Paul Meehl's landmark work on schizotypy and to the pioneering work on psychosis proneness by the Chapmans. It is guided by two primary questions: How can we identify individuals who are at risk for schizophrenia and related disorders, and how will identifying individuals at risk help us better understand the etiology, phenomenology, course, and treatment of these disorders? A secondary, but related, focus of my research laboratory examines bipolar spectrum psychopathology, and specifically clinical and subclinical manifestations of hyperthymic traits. My research into these topics employs cross-sectional and prospective studies and actively involves student researchers. My laboratory is currently focusing on research in three interrelated areas, including: 1) Expression of Clinical and Subclinical Psychopathology in Daily Life using Experience Sampling Methodology, 2) Identification and Assessment of the Multidimensional Structure of Schizotypy, and 3) Assessment of Risk for Bipolar Spectrum Psychopathology.
Note that I am recruiting graduate students for admission in fall 2025
Education
Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1994)
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Psychology
Director of Clinical Training, Psychology
External Links
Visit the Kwapil Lab website at:
Recent Publications
Barrantes-Vidal, N., Torrecilla, P., Mas-Bermejo, P., Papiol, S., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Rosa, A., & Kwapil, T. R. (2025). Genetic Differences in Reactivity to the Environment Impact Psychotic-Like and Affective Reactivity in Daily Life. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 51, S74-S84. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbad162
Barrantes-Vidal, N., Torrecilla, P., Mas-Bermejo, P., Papiol, S., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Jolicoeur-Martineau, A., Kwapil, T. R., & Rosa, A. (2025). Genetic Susceptibility to the Environment Moderates the Impact of Childhood Experiences on Psychotic, Depressive, and Anxiety Dimensions. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 51, S95-S106. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbad130
Barrantes-Vidal, N., & Kwapil, T. R. (2025). Predictive Validity of Psychometrically Assessed Schizotypy for Psychopathology Dimensions and Functioning in an 8-Year Multiwave Study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 51, S115-S125. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbae140
Hernández, L. M., Berglund, A. M., Kemp, K. C., Barrantes-Vidal, N., & Kwapil, T. R. (2025). Association of Multidimensional Schizotypy With Cognitive-Behavioral Disorganization in Daily Life: An Experience Sampling Methodology Study. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000713
Kemp, K. C., Sperry, S. H., Hernández, L., Barrantes-Vidal, N., & Kwapil, T. R. (2025). Association of Positive, Negative, and Disorganized Schizotypy With the Temporal Dynamics of Schizotypic Experiences in Daily Life. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 51(3), 765-779. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbae112