Auditory hallucinations: a review of assessment tools

✍ Scribed by Kirk Ratcliff; John Farhall; Frances Shawyer

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 99 KB
• Volume: 18
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1063-3995
• DOI: 10.1002/cpp.729

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Auditory hallucinations are a common and troubling symptom in psychotic disorders. We aimed to identify measures that could be used by clinicians and researchers to assess the experience of auditory hallucinations. A literature review was conducted to identify auditory hallucination measures that were developed since the last such review in 1998. We identified 10 tools: eight self‐report measures and two clinical interviews. The scales measured diverse constructs and are divided into four categories for review: multidimensional assessment, coping strategies, rating of beliefs and acceptance or mindfulness. Evidence of the measures' reliability, validity and sensitivity to change are discussed. There has been an expansion in the range of instruments available, particularly in self‐report questionnaires and in measures that focus on psychological aspects such as attitudes and beliefs regarding voices. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

• A wide variety of measures of auditory hallucinations has been developed in recent years.

• The majority of measures reviewed here are relevant to psychological therapies.

• This paper provides a resource to help practitioners select appropriate measures to assess auditory hallucinations and their sequalae.