Cognitive and emotional predictors of predisposition to hallucinations in non-patients

Abstract

Background: This study reports the development of a self-report measure to assess interpretations of voices (Interpretations of Voices Inventory: IVI) and a revision of the Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale (RHS) to measure predisposition to hallucinations in non-patients. We aimed to test the specific hypothesis that positive interpretations of voices would predict frequency of hallucinatory experiences.

Method: There were 132 non-clinical participants who were asked to complete questionnaires assessing interpretations of voices, predisposition to hallucinations, meta-cognitive beliefs, anxiety and delusional ideation.

Results: The results showed that three empirically distinct subscales were measured by the IVI (meta-physical beliefs about voices, positive beliefs about voices and interpretations of loss of control). The RHS was also found to have three subscales (vividness of imagination and daydreaming, tendency towards experiencing visual disturbances and hallucinations, and tendency towards experiencing auditory hallucinations). The scales possessed acceptable internal consistency and were moderately stable over a period of 4-6 weeks. Consistent with predictions, it was found that positive beliefs about voices were significantly associated with predisposition to auditory hallucinations, and negative interpretations of voices were associated with endorsing the item assessing troublesome voices.

Conclusions: The theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.