A linguistic approach to the psychosis continuum: (dis)similarities and (dis)continuities in how clinical and non-clinical voice-hearers talk about their voices. Issue 6 (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collins, Luke C.; Semino, Elena; Demjén, Zsófia; Hardie, Andrew; Moseley, Peter; Woods, Angela; Alderson-Day, Ben
• Is Part Of: Cognitive neuropsychiatry. Volume 25:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 465
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Psychosis -- continuum -- corpus linguistics -- auditory verbal hallucinations -- voice-hearing; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2020.1842727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-6805

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : "Continuum" approaches to psychosis have generated reports of similarities and differences in voice-hearing in clinical and non-clinical populations at the cohort level, but not typically examined overlap or degrees of difference between groups. Methods : We used a computer-aided linguistic approach to explore reports of voice-hearing by a clinical group (Early Intervention in Psychosis service-users; N = 40) and a non-clinical group (spiritualists; N = 27). We identify semantic categories of terms statistically overused by one group compared with the other, and by each group compared to a control sample of non-voice-hearing interview data (log likelihood (LL) value 6.63+= p < .01; effect size measure: log ratio 1.0+). We consider whether individual values support a continuum model. Results : Notwithstanding significant cohort-level differences, there was considerable continuity in language use. Reports of negative affect were prominent in both groups ( p < .01, log ratio: 1.12+). Challenges of cognitive control were also evident in both cohorts, with references to "disengagement" accentuated in service-users ( p < .01, log ratio: 1.14+). Conclusion : A corpus linguistic approach to voice-hearing provides new evidence of differences between clinical and non-clinical groups. Variability at the individual level provides substantial evidence of continuity with implications for cognitive mechanisms underlying voice-hearing.