Talk-based approaches to support people who are distressed by their experience of hearing voices: A scoping review

Assessment of Voice Content for Voice Hearers: Psychometric Evaluation of the Perth Voice Content Questionnaire

The experience of hearing voices is common to an estimated 7% of the general population, with the presence of negative content being the best predictor of whether individuals will require clinical support. Whilst largely neglected in the literature to date, there are calls to consider the significance of voice content for reducing voice-related distress. However, no quantitative and comprehensive measure of voice content with suitability for research and clinical use exists. This pilot study aimed to demonstrate preliminary psychometric properties of a newly developed measure, the Perth Voice Content Questionnaire (PVCQ), designed to measure the intensity and themes of positively and negatively valenced voice content, primarily of the dominant voice. The PVCQ and measures of voice severity and related beliefs were completed by 47 voice-hearing participants. The measure was found to be internally consistent, loaded onto two distinct factors of positive and negative content, and these factors were associated with voice-related distress and negative beliefs about voices and positive beliefs about voices, respectively, indicating good validity. The PVCQ offers the first self-report measure of voice content, with preliminary psychometric properties indicating its suitability for clinical and research use.

The Experience of Hearing Voices: Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

Auditory hallucinations or hearing voices are often associated with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. However, several voice-hearers do not have any mental health issues or diagnoses. The study presented in this paper aimed to explore how voice-hearers understand and react to their concerns by reflecting on and exploring their experiences and interpretations of these experiences. The participants were nine individuals - three females, four males and two others, all experiencing auditory hallucinations for at least five years, residing either at their home or at one of the Hostels run by Richmond Foundation (Malta). A qualitative approach following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore how the participants perceive their voices, what coping strategies are used, and how their experiences affect their lives. Four super-ordinate themes related to the participants' perceptions and their interpretation of the experience of hearing voices were identified: 'A tough experience', 'Methods used to cope with voices', 'Factors linked to recovery' and 'Relationships'. Furthermore, the study elicited the voice-hearers' recommendations (both for other voice-hearers and mental health professionals).

[Pilot study of Experience Focused Counselling by nurses with people who hear voices: Evaluation of the implementation of the study protocol]

Pilot study of Experience Focused Counselling by nurses with people who hear voices: Evaluation of the implementation of the study protocol Abstract: Background: Hearing voices and the treatment and support of people who hear voices and are distressed by the experience are defined differently in psychiatry. In contrast to the medical approach to define and treat voices as symptoms of a disease, the EFC counselling approach developed with voice-hearers focuses on non-pathologizing acceptance and a constructive relationship to voices. Mental health nurses with their focus on everyday life are predestined for the dissemination and application of alternative therapeutic approaches in practice. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the study protocol as part of a pilot study regarding its suitability for a larger trial. Method: The multi centre pilot study had a single-blind randomised controlled design. The intervention consisted of EFC counselling by nurses with people who hear voices. The control group received Treatment As Usual (TAU). The suitability of the study design was evaluated in terms of recruitment, burden on study participants, suitability of assessment tools, the application of EFC counselling and the use of study nurses. Results: As planned 21 participants could be included in the study within fifteen months across the two study sites. Overall, the participants rated the study as not very burdensome and the intervention as helpful. The application of EFC by the nurses as well as the use of study nurses was assessed as good and suitable respectively. Discussion: The evaluation of the study protocol shows that with minor adjustments it is suitable for conducting a larger study.