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Metacognitive beliefs, beliefs about voices and affective symptoms in patients with severe auditory verbal hallucinations
Author(s) -
Oosterhout Bas,
Krabbendam Lydia,
Smeets Guus,
Gaag Mark
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1111/bjc.12011
Subject(s) - psychology , metacognition , anxiety , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , developmental psychology , cognition , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives This study explores associations between metacognitive beliefs and beliefs about voices in patients with severe auditory verbal hallucinations, and their hypothesized relationship with levels of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that metacognitive beliefs are better able to explain differences in levels of depression and anxiety, than beliefs about voices. Design Cross‐sectional data were obtained from baseline measurements of a randomized controlled trial. All patients ( N = 77) met the criteria for a DSM ‐ IV diagnosis within the schizophrenia spectrum. A correlation analysis was conducted to explore the associations between metacognitive beliefs and beliefs about voices. Regression analysis was performed to test the second hypothesis. Method Metacognitive beliefs were measured using the MCQ ‐30. Beliefs about voices were measured using the BAVQ ‐R. Furthermore, the B eck D epression I nventory‐II and the B eck A nxiety I nventory were applied to measure depression and anxiety. All analyses were a priori controlled for gender and level of education. Results Significant associations were found between negative beliefs about voices and negative metacognitive beliefs. One of the metacognitive beliefs, that is, perceived uncontrollability and danger of thinking, proved to be a key variable in explaining differences in levels of depression and anxiety and seemed to have greater explanatory value than all of the beliefs about voices when analysed simultaneously. Conclusions The results offer modest support to models emphasizing the fact that metacognitive beliefs are a core feature in the development and maintenance of depression and anxiety in patients with severe auditory verbal hallucinations. Practitioner points Positive clinical implications: Further evidence for the importance of metacognitive beliefs. Specific emphasis on anxiety and depression in patients with severe hallucinations.Limitations Small sample size. Cross‐sectional data only.