Citation

Hacker D, Birchwood M, Tudway J, Meaden A, Amphlett C. Br. J. Clin. Psychol. 2008; 47(Pt 2): 201-213.

Affiliation

Clinical Psychology Department, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. david.hacker@bsmht.nhs.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, British Psychological Society)

DOI

10.1348/014466507X249093

PMID

17958943

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Previous research indicates that beliefs about voice power and omnipotence are associated with distress, depression, and compliance. The present study investigates whether acting on voices to mitigate perceived threat, in a broader sense than compliance, is driven by delusional beliefs, as the Chadwick, Birchwood, and Trower cognitive-behavioural model of voices would suggest. The role of safety behaviours in maintaining beliefs about voice omnipotence and distress is also examined. DESIGN: A cross-sectional investigation of 30 individuals with current experience of auditory verbal hallucinations was conducted. METHOD: Participants were assessed on self-report measures of voice topography, voice-related threat and distress, safety behaviour use, beliefs about voices, and depression and anxiety. RESULTS: Three sources of threat were identified: physical harm, shame, and loss of control. Twenty-six individuals had recently used safety behaviours, believing them to be effective in threat reduction. The degree of safety behaviour use and voice-related distress were associated with voice omnipotence beliefs; mood or voice characteristics did not account for this relationship. The association of safety behaviours with increased distress was mediated by beliefs about voice omnipotence. CONCLUSIONS: Acting on voices can be conceptualized as a form of safety seeking, associated with maintaining beliefs about voice omnipotence and distress.

Language: en