Association between schizotypal traits and food neophobia: Mediating effect of chemosensory hedonic capacity

Food neophobia, the reluctance to try novel food, is associated with numerous personality traits. Schizotypy, a subclinical phenotype of schizophrenia, consists of reduced severity of symptoms or traits of schizophrenia, which have been shown to consume a poor diet. However, there is no study directly examining the relationship between food neophobia and schizotypal traits. In addition, chemosensory hedonic capacity, the ability to experience pleasure simulated by smell or taste, is considered to be related to both schizotypal traits and food neophobia. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of chemosensory hedonic capacity on the relationship between schizotypal traits and food neophobia. In the present study, 2,581 college students completed the Food Neophobia Scale, Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, and Chemosensory Pleasure Scale to examine food neophobia traits, schizotypal traits, and chemosensory hedonic capacity, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that schizotypal traits were significantly positively correlated with food neophobia. Mediation analysis revealed that chemosensory hedonic capacity partially mediated the relationship between schizotypal traits, especially negative schizotypal traits and food neophobia. In conclusion, schizotypal traits were associated with food neophobia, and the relationship between schizotypal traits and food neophobia was mediated by chemosensory hedonic capacity. Practical Applications The present study is among the first to reveal that food neophobia was associated with schizotypal traits, which was mediated by chemosensory hedonic capacity. Therefore, our results might provide a new perspective of alleviating food neophobia by improving chemosensory hedonic capacity such as olfactory and gustatory training in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder.