Auditory Verbal Hallucinations and Autistic Spectrum Conditions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Phenomenological Investigation of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in individuals with a diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Condition
IRAS ID
196528
Contact name
Hanna Venton-Platz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 12 days
Research summary
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)is a lifelong, developmental condition which affects the way that an individual communicates and relates to other people. Although it has been established that individuals with a diagnosis of ASC are more likely to experience mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression there is a scarcity of research that has sought to examine the prevalence of psychotic experiences within this population. Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVHs) have been described as the occurrence of hearing a voice when appropriate external stimuli are not present. Existing research suggests that the experience of auditory hallucinations may be more prevalent in individuals with a diagnosis of ASC.
Researchers know very little about the experience of AVHs in people with ASC,in terms of both the characteristics (for example, content, volume, frequency) of AVHs and the meanings that individuals with ASC attach to these experiences.
The current study aims to recruit up to 20 individuals with a diagnosis of ASC who experience AVHs. A qualitative methodology will be employed for this research with an aim of examining the specific phenomenological features (i.e. the characteristics of voices) of AVHs and the meaning attached to these experiences in individuals with a diagnosis of ASC.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0464
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion