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Appraisals of Anomalous Experiences Interview (AANEX): a multidimensional measure of psychological responses to anomalies associated with psychosis

Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

E. P. PETERS, PhD

Psychology Dept., Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK

L. C. JOHNS, DPhil, DClinPsy and P. TABRAHAM, DClinPsy

Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK

L. R. VALMAGGIA, DClinPsy, PhD,

Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK, and Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, the Netherlands

P. K. McGUIRE, FRCPsych, MD, PhD

Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK

Correspondence: Dr Caroline Brett, CASPD, Salomon’s, David Salomon’s Estate, Broomhill Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0TG. Email: cb239{at}canterbury.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Background Cognitive models of psychosis suggest that whether anomalous experiences lead to clinically relevant psychotic symptoms depends on how they are appraised, the context in which they occur and the individual’s emotional response.

Aims To develop and validate a semi-structured interview (the Appraisals of Anomalous Experiences Interview; AANEX) to assess (a) anomalous experiences and (b) appraisal, contextual and response variables.

Method Following initial piloting, construct validity was tested via cross-sectional comparison of data from clinical and non-clinical samples with anomalous experiences. Interrater reliability was also assessed.

Results Scores from AANEX measuring appraisals, responses and social support differentiated the clinical and nonclinical groups. Interrater reliability was satisfactory for 65 ofthe 71 items. Six items were subsequently amended.

Conclusions The AANEX is a valid multidimensional instrument that provides a detailed assessment of psychotic-like experiences and subjective variables relevantto the development of a need for clinical care.