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Correlates of Auditory Hallucinations in Nonpsychotic Children

Bower Place, Adelaide, Australia, nicole.best{at}bowerplace.com.au

Peter Mertin

Legal Services Commission of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

The phenomenon of auditory hallucinations in clinical populations of nonpsychotic children is an intriguing and little understood area. To date, investigations in this area have reported on a range of correlates, including family histories of psychiatric illness, family dysfunction, and significant levels of stress in the children themselves. The current study reported on 10 nonpsychotic children drawn from a number of community-based child and family agencies that provide therapeutic outpatient services. Consistent with previous studies, the present study found strong associations with family dysfunction, specifically family break-up, as well as significant levels of anxiety and depression in the presenting children. In addition, half the children reported the presence of imaginary companions. Despite confirmation of some previous findings, many other features of this phenomenon remain unanswered, including the different psychological functions that hallucinations and imaginary companions may serve for emotionally troubled children.

Key Words: auditory hallucinations • imaginary companions • nonpsychotic children

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Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 12, No. 4, 611-623 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1359104507080996


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Best, N. T. Articles by Mertin, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Best, N. T. Articles by Mertin, P. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Psychotic Disorders Social Bookmarking                         What's this?