Childhood Trauma and Hearing Voices: The Role of Dissociation and Cognitive Inhibition.

Paper one is a comprehensive literature review that examines cognitive and affective factors contributing to delusional ideation across the psychosis-spectrum, including both psychotic and non-psychotic populations. Through a systematic search, twentytwo quantitative studies involving 5,000 participants were identified and analysed. The review synthesises evidence on cognitive biases, such as attributional style and cognitive flexibility, and their interaction with emotional regulation, particularly emotional distress, in shaping delusional beliefs. These findings highlight the need for therapeutic approaches that address both cognitive and emotional dimensions, with significant implications for clinical practice and future research. The review also identifies gaps in the existing literature, particularly the need for longitudinal studies to better understand the causal relationships between these factors. Paper two presents an empirical study investigating the relationship between childhood trauma and hearing voices, focusing on the potential mediating roles of dissociation and cognitive inhibition. The study involved 33 participants who reported experiencing auditory hallucinations. Participants completed assessments of childhood trauma, dissociative experiences, hallucination-proneness, and a cognitive inhibition task. The results showed a significant correlation between childhood trauma and the severity of hallucinatory experiences; however, dissociation did not significantly mediate this relationship. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between cognitive inhibition and hallucination severity. These findings suggest that while childhood trauma is linked to hearing voices, the pathways through which this occurs may involve other mechanisms, necessitating further research. Paper three is an executive summary that provides an accessible version of the empirical study on childhood trauma and hearing voices. The summary is designed for individuals who experience auditory hallucinations, both with and without a formal diagnosis, and aims to help them understand how early trauma may contribute to their experiences. The summary includes practical recommendations based on the study's findings and is intended to be a resource for both clinical and non-clinical audiences.