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
Chirica, M. G., Zhu, Y., Mu, W., Zhou, H., Gong, J., Chan, R. C. K., Kwapil, T. R., & Berenbaum, H. (2024). Exploring phenotypic overlap across schizotypy and autism spectrum conditions in American and Chinese young adults. Schizophrenia Research, 267, 359-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2024.03.050
Hernández, L. M., Kemp, K. C., Barrantes-Vidal, N., & Kwapil, T. R. (2024). Ambivalence Predicts Schizotypic Symptoms and Impairment in Daily Life: An Experience Sampling Methodology Study. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 46(3), 615-625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-024-10150-3
Monette, M. A., Russell, M. T., Abel, D. B., Lewis, J. T., Mickens, J. L., Myers, E. J., Hricovec, M. M., Cicero, D. C., Wolny, J., Hetrick, W. P., Masucci, M. D., Cohen, A. S., Burgin, C. J., Kwapil, T. R., & Minor, K. S. (2024). Differential Risk: Gender and Racial Differences in the Relationship between Trauma, Discrimination, and Schizotypy. Behavioral Sciences, 14(5), Article 363. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050363
Rodriguez-Boerwinkle, R. M., Welhaf, M. S., Smeekens, B. A., Booth, R. A., Kwapil, T. R., Silvia, P. J., & Kane, M. J. (Accepted/In press). Variation in Divergent Thinking, Executive-Control Abilities, and Mind-Wandering Measured in and Out of the Laboratory. Creativity Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2024.2326336
Sheinbaum, T., Gizdic, A., Kwapil, T. R., & Barrantes-Vidal, N. (2024). A longitudinal study of the impact of childhood adversity dimensions on social and psychological factors and symptoms of psychosis, depression, and anxiety. Schizophrenia Research, 270, 102-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2024.05.016