Individuals who report psychotic-type experiences are at increased risk of future clinical psychotic disorder. They constitute a ‘at-high risk’ group for studying the trajectory to schizophrenia and related illnesses. Psychotic disorders are a significant risk factor for suicide, especially young people. Previous research has used screening instruments to identify this high risk group but few studies have followed up by an in-depth clinical interview to assess the relationship between psychotic symptoms and suicidality or other psychopathology.

As part of a community study, a 50-minute self -reported screening questionnaire which included one item designed to assess psychotic symptoms (auditory hallucinations) was administered to 900 adolescents aged 14 years in community schools, in Cork, Ireland. The following question (“Have you ever heard voices or sounds that no one else can hear?”) was used as it has been shown previously to have best predictive power (Kelleher., 2009). Other screening questions assessed suicidality and other psychopathology. Detailed clinical interviews by experienced child and adolescent psychiatrists were subsequently carried out with some of these adolescents who endorsed a positive answer to screening questions.

We plan to calculate the sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value for the specific screening symptom on auditory hallucinations and its relationship to psychopathology as verified on clinical interview.

Our results will be of value to those engaged in treating children and adolescents with psychiatric disorder and will inform on the clinical significance of a positive answer to a screening question on auditory hallucinations in adolescence.