title: The role of meta-cognitions and thought control techniques in predisposition to auditory and visual hallucinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the relationship between a predisposition to hallucinations and meta-cognitive variables and thought-control techniques, controlling for the possible effect of anxiety. In order to do so, we start out with the hypothesis that anxiety does not, in itself, explain the association between meta-cognitions and a predisposition to auditory and visual hallucinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A within-participants correlational design was employed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four psychometric tests relating to predisposition to hallucinations, anxiety, meta-cognitions and thought-control techniques were administered to 150 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that, after controlling for participants' anxiety levels, the 'loss of cognitive confidence' factor predicted the score on the scale of predisposition to both auditory and visual hallucinations. Thought-control strategies based on worry were also found to be predictive of a greater predisposition to hallucinations, regardless of whether or not participants' anxiety level was controlled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meta-cognitive variables of cognitive confidence and thought control through worry are positively associated with a predisposition to hallucinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The correlational nature of the design does not allow inferences about causal relationships.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Almería, Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratomientos Psicológicos, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n. 04120-Almería, Spain. jgmontes@ual.es
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Montes
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cangas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pérez-Alvarez
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fidalgo
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D003071:Cognition; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011936:Reality Testing; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012718:Set, Psychology; D013483:Superstitions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking