Child Abuse & Neglect 27 (2003) 919–927 Is reported childhood sexual abuse associated with the psychopathological characteristics of patients who experience auditory hallucinations? Liz Offen a,∗ , Glenn Waller b , Glyn Thomas a a School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK b Department of Psychiatry, St. George’s Medical School, University of London, London, UK Received 29 July 2002; received in revised form 5 November 2002; accepted 11 November 2002 Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether reported childhood sexual abuse is related to the severity of symptoms in patients who experience auditory hallucinations. Method: A sample of 26 adult male and females with psychotic disorders involving auditory hallu- cinations were interviewed and were asked to complete three self-report measures: the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II and DES-taxon versions); the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); and the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ). They were also asked about any history of sexual abuse in childhood. Results: A history of childhood sexual abuse was reported by 10 of the 26 patients (38.5%), and was associated with higher levels of depression and dissociation, as well as being linked to a tendency to regard the voices as more malevolent. The same three features were all associated with the age at first reported abuse, with a younger age of first experience being related to higher levels of psychopathology in all instances. Conclusions: These results require replication and refinement in future research, but indicate a need for greater attention to be paid to the possible role of childhood sexual abuse when understanding and treating auditory hallucinations. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Sexual abuse; Auditory hallucinations; Psychopathology ∗ Corresponding author address: SBPCT, 66 Anchorage Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 2PH, UK. 0145-2134/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(03)00139-X