An exploration of self-complexity in individuals experiencing auditory hallucinations

Linville's self-complexity (SC) theory suggests that reduced SC exacerbates the effects of stress, thereby creating a vulnerability to psychopathology. This exploratory study investigated SC in individuals experiencing auditory hallucinations. Twenty-two clinical participants experiencing auditory hallucinations were recruited from inpatient and outpatient services. Twenty-two control participants, matched on age and gender, were recruited from non-clinical settings. All participants completed a card sort task relating to the self, and questionnaires of affect, self-esteem and recent stress. Although groups did not differ in unitary SC, clinical participants displayed significantly reduced positive SC (pos-SC) compared with controls. Pos-SC was positively correlated with increased psychological well-being, while negative SC was inversely related, across both groups. No stress-buffering effects for SC were found. Findings are discussed with respect to previous literature, and clinical and research implications of the study are addressed, particularly in relation to the therapeutic potential for increasing pos-SC in patients distressed by auditory hallucinations.