Voice-hearing in young people: distress factors and social relating
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vista- Voice-hearing in young people: distress factors and social relating
IRAS ID
236382
Contact name
Aikaterini Rammou
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 18 days
Research summary
This research project aims to find preliminary evidence on the factors that cause and maintain distress in voice hearing experiences in young people. Based on the literature on the psychological models of voice hearing in adults, the first part of the study aims to explore the importance of well-known cognitive, social relating and metacognitive factors in voice-related distress in youth. This project has drawn its hypotheses on the basis of the interpersonal approaches of voice hearing (i.e. how people respond to voices) while considering the importance of social relationships in adolescence. The second part will explore the association between social functioning, social relationships and social support, and voice-hearing experiences in youth. Lastly, young people’s accounts on their experience of treatment and access to support will be explored to provide a qualitative report of how young people are being supported at the moment and what they wish to change. \n\nPart 1 will examine the relationship between factors known to cause distress in adult literature and voice-hearing distress in young people. Part 2 will investigate the differences in social functioning, social relationships and social support between young people who hear voices and young people who do not. Part 3 will explore the treatment experiences and pathways to care of young people who hear voices. Part 1 and Part 2 will involve completing questionnaires and interview assessments. Part 3 will involve qualitative interviewing.\n\nParticipants will be 14-18 years of age, under the care of Children and Adolescent Mental Health services and Early intervention in Psychosis services within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. \n\nThis study will provide preliminary evidence on what causes distress in voice-hearing in young people.\n\nThe anticipated benefits of this project is to inform psychological therapies aimed at reducing voice-related distress in young people.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2078
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion