Background
In a baseline study among 7- and 8-year-old children with
auditory vocal hallucinations, only limited functional impact
was observed.
Aims
To assess 5-year course and predictors of auditory vocal
hallucinations, as well as 5-year incidence and its risk
factors.
Method
A sample of 337 children, 12 and 13 years of age, were
reassessed on auditory vocal hallucinations and associated
symptoms after a mean follow-up period of 5.1 years.
Results
The 5-year persistence and incidence rates were 24% and
9% respectively, with more new cases arising in urban areas.
Both persistent and incident auditory vocal hallucinations
were associated with problem behaviour in the clinical range
of psychopathology as measured with the Child Behavior
Checklist, particularly at follow-up, as well as with other
psychotic symptoms, particularly at baseline. Persistence was
predicted by baseline auditory vocal hallucinations severity,
particularly in terms of external attribution of voices and
hearing multiple voices, and was associated with worse
primary school test scores and lower secondary school level.