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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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Open Access 01-08-2019 | Original Paper

The development, validity, and reliability of the auditory vocal hallucination rating scale questionnaire (AVHRS-Q)

Authors: Laura A. Steenhuis, Gerdina H. M. Pijnenborg, Ellen Visser, Gerard van de Willige, Marije van Beilen, Maaike H. Nauta, André Aleman, Agna A. Bartels-Velthuis

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 8/2019

Abstract

Purpose

The Auditory Vocal Hallucination Rating Scale Questionnaire (AVHRS-Q) is a short self-report measure assessing several characteristics of auditory vocal hallucinations (AVH) that was derived from a validated clinical interview (the auditory vocal hallucination rating scale; AVHRS). This study investigated the internal reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity of the AVHRS-Q using two clinical samples.

Methods

In sample I, 32 psychiatric patients with AVH were recruited from an academic hospital service and assessed with the AVHRS and the AVHRS-Q. Data for sample II were retrospectively retrieved from a pseudonymised Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) database collected in the context of mental healthcare at the same academic hospital service. Data from 82 psychiatric patients with AVH were retrieved, who completed the AVHRS-Q, and measures of psychological distress (the Outcome Questionnaire; OQ-45, and the Symptom Checklist; SCL-90) and quality of life (the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life; MANSA).

Results

The AVHRS-Q showed good internal consistency in both samples. Severity scores of the AVHRS-Q were strongly correlated to the severity scores of the AVHRS (r = 0.90, p < 0.01). The AVHRS-Q and AVHRS did not differ in the identification of mild and severe voice-hearers [X² (1, N = 32) = 15.71]. AVHRS-Q severity scores had moderate correlations with measures of psychological distress (OQ-45, r = 0.43, p < 0.01; SCL-90, r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and quality of life (MANSA, r = − 0.22, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The AVHRS-Q demonstrated good reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity, suggesting it can be applied in both clinical and research settings for a quick and reliable assessment of AVH.

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Title: The development, validity, and reliability of the auditory vocal hallucination rating scale questionnaire (AVHRS-Q)
Authors: Laura A. Steenhuis
Gerdina H. M. Pijnenborg
Ellen Visser
Gerard van de Willige
Marije van Beilen
Maaike H. Nauta
André Aleman
Agna A. Bartels-Velthuis
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01692-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The development, validity, and reliability of the auditory vocal hallucination rating scale questionnaire (AVHRS-Q)

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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