Potential Explanatory Factors Research Articles

Romantic and sexual relationships of young adults born very preterm: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

To compare romantic and sexual relationships between adults born very preterm (VP; <32 weeks of gestation) or with very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) and at term, and to evaluate potential biological and environmental explanatory factors among VP/VLBW participants. This individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis included longitudinal studies assessing romantic and sexual relationships in adults (mean sample age ≥ 18 years) born VP/VLBW compared with term-born controls. Following PRISMA-IPD guidelines, 11 of the 13 identified cohorts provided IPD from 1606 VP/VLBW adults and 1659 term-born controls. IPD meta-analyses were performed using one-stage approach. Individuals born VP/VLBW were less likely to be in a romantic relationship (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.31-0.76), to be married/cohabiting (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.92), or to have had sexual intercourse (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09-0.36) than term-born adults. If sexually active, VP/VLBW participants were more likely to experience their first sexual intercourse after the age of 18 years (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.24-3.01) than term-born adults. Among VP/VLBW adults, males, and those with neurosensory impairment were least likely to experience romantic relationships. These findings reflect less optimal social functioning and may have implications for socioeconomic and health outcomes of adults born VP/VLBW.

Tick-Borne Diseases in America’s National Parks: Observations and Recommendations for Improved Public Health

National parks provide visitors access to hiking, camping, and the outdoors. These activities are associated with an increased risk of tick exposure. This brief report is observational, depicting case reports using raw data, and is not intended to analyze or establish risk but rather to examine geographic areas for potential future research and to identify disparities between canine and human disease reports within the same location. Locally vs. travel-acquired data are not provided by most public health departments in the U.S. Therefore, multimodal data analyses are needed for an improved understanding of disease risk. With data limitations in mind, observations from human and canine comparisons, in addition to tick presence, in this report include (1) tick-borne diseases are reported at most national park areas in the U.S., with the highest case reports in park areas located in Maine and Minnesota; (2) the average total tick-borne diseases combined (i.e., Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis) for park areas allowing dogs is 15.34%. In comparison, the average for national parks without dogs is 8.7%, indicating the need for further study to assess human activity with pets, considering geography and ecology as potential explanatory factors; (3) canine data do not align with human data in many national park geographic areas; and (4) Ixodes scapularis presence overlaps with human and canine disease. Using multimodal data can assist with assessing risk when travel vs. local acquisition is unknown.

The Relationship Between Gender, Training, Experience and Acceptance of Myths About Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Willingness to Intervene Among University Students in Spain

ABSTRACT The aim was to explore potential explanatory factors for the three dimensions of willingness to intervene in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women: police or personal involvement and noninvolvement. N = 280 students at a Spanish university (78.20% women) from the fields of educational, community, and interventions responded to a survey including the Willingness to Intervene in cases of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and the Acceptance of Myths About Intimate partner Violence Against Women scales. Bivariate analyses and multiple linear regressions demonstrated that IPV experience implied greater personal involvement, while the higher the myth acceptance, the lower the probability of calling law enforcement. The likelihood of not intervening decreased with some IPV experience and training and lower myth acceptance. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance in developing bystander interventions.

Tracking Quantum S&T from strategy to implementation plan: what we learned about the Canadian Armed Forces’ quantum posture

ABSTRACT The Department of National Defence has been an important actor in the shaping of Canada’s strategic approach to quantum science and technology through the release of two key documents: the Quantum S&T [Science and Technology] Strategy and the Quantum 2030 implementation plan. This article examines how the DND/CAF quantum strategies have been implemented over recent years and identifies how the approach to quantum science and technology has become more threat-focused. Through a mixed-method discourse analysis of these strategic documents, we argue that there is a transition of the Canadian stance from viewing quantum science and technology as a neutral space with opportunities and threats, to a more dangerous domain. We conclude that there is a significant intensification of threat language, discuss potential explanatory factors, and sketch out further research areas.

Anaemia among school-going adolescents in Burkina Faso: Prevalence and associated factors.

Adolescence, a stage of growth between 10 and 19 years, is a transitional period of intense cognitive, emotionaland physical development. Though iron deficiency is theleading cause of morbidity and mortality among this age group, nutritional interventions targeting adolescents are rare. To inform policy and practice aimed at adolescent health, we established the burden of anaemia among school-going adolescents in Center West Burkina Faso and investigated the potential explanatory factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2021. Blood samples, socio-demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietaryand water, sanitation and hygiene data from 2947 students aged 10-18 years were collected. Anaemia was determined by the World Health Organization's sex- and age-specific haemoglobin concentrations. χ2 tests and logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in the sample was 36.2%, including 24.2% mild, 11.6% moderateand 0.4% severe anaemia. Compared to males, females were 19% less likely to have mild anaemia (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.81; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.689, 0.955) but 42% more likely to be moderately or severely anaemic (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.102, 1.831). Among iron-rich foods, tamarind (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.610, 0.929) and pumpkin leaves (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.605, 0.974) were associated with lower odds of anaemia. Several water, sanitation and hygiene factors were associated with higher haemoglobin, including handwashing after toilet use (β = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.031, 0.966)andtooth brushing twice daily (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.030, 0.354). Anaemia among adolescents in Burkina Faso should be addressed with interventions targeting diet, sanitationand hygiene.

Revealed strategies in wineries’ grape supply: the case of the Canary Islands

PurposeThis paper aims to deal with the grape sourcing strategies of wineries in the Canary Islands.Design/methodology/approachSourcing decisions are analysed from official registers of transactions between wineries and their external suppliers. The main sources of information are harvest reports submitted by wineries containing data about observable dimensions of their purchasing decisions. The general behaviour in the wine-grape zones that make up the grape market in the Canary Islands is described, and different strategies of individual wineries are revealed. Grape purchasing decisions are interpreted in terms of the potential explanatory factors involved in the undeclared objectives of wineries’ sourcing strategies. Two research questions are considered in this study: the spatial dimension, which refers to plot location, and the social dimension, which refers to the relationships between wineries and winegrowers.FindingsThe location of grape producers is a key factor in achieving the desired wine quality for wineries. The sourcing strategy of wineries is also influenced by size, but the impact of size varies depending on the short and long-term objectives of wineries.Originality/valueTypically the literature on grape sourcing strategies relies on interviews with winemakers. However, this paper analyses wineries’ sourcing decisions based on records and reports that reveal their decisions in the specific context of the Canary Islands.

Association of perceived mental health with mortality, and analysis of potential pathways in Italian men and women: Prospective results from the Moli-sani Study cohort

BackgroundPerceived mental health (PMH) was reportedly associated with mortality in general populations worldwide. However, little is known about sex differences and pathways potentially linking PMH to mortality. We explored the relationship between PMH and mortality in Italian men and women, and analysed potential explanatory factors. MethodsWe performed longitudinal analyses on 9045 men and 9467 women (population mean age 53.8 ± 11.2 years) from the Moli-sani Study. Baseline PMH was assessed through a self-administered Short Form 36-item questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95%CI) of death across sex-specific quartiles of PMH, controlling for age, chronic health conditions, and perceived physical health. Socioeconomic, behavioural, and physiological factors were examined as potential explanatory factors of the association between PMH and mortality. ResultsIn women, HRs for the highest (Q4) vs. bottom quartile (Q1) of PMH were 0.75 (95%CI 0.60–0.96) for all-cause mortality and 0.59 (0.40–0.88) for cardiovascular mortality. Part of these associations (25.8 % and 15.7 %, for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively) was explained by physiological factors. In men, higher PMH was associated with higher survival (HR = 0.82; 0.69–0.98, for Q4 vs. Q1) and reduced hazard of other cause mortality (HR = 0.67; 0.48–0.95). More than half of the association with all-cause mortality was explained by physiological factors. LimitationsPMH was measured at baseline only. ConclusionsPMH was independently associated with mortality in men and women. Public health policies aimed at reducing the burden of chronic diseases should prioritize perceived mental health assessment along with other interventions.

Urine high-sensitive troponin I in children cannot offer an applicable alternative to serum.

In children, congenital heart defects represent the primary cause of increased serum troponin I. The elimination process of cardiac troponin I from the bloodstream and the factors influencing this process remain unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the role of troponin I as an indicator of cardiac damage in children both in serum and urine, a concept previously investigated in adults. Our prospective study involved 70 children under 24 months of age. The first group underwent ventricular septal defect repair, while the second group involved children who had undergone partial cavopulmonary anastomosis. For these groups, urine and serum troponin I were assessed on four occasions. The third group, consisting of healthy children, underwent a single measurement of urine troponin I. Serum troponin I values exhibited an expected elevation in the early postoperative period, followed by a return to lower levels. Significantly higher concentrations of serum troponin I were observed in the first group of children (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between troponin I in the first three measurements and cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamping time. There was no discernible increase in urine troponin I directly related to myocardial damage; troponin I couldn't be detected in most urine samples. The inability to detect troponin I in urine remains unexplained. Potential explanatory factors may include the isoelectric point of troponin I, elevated urinary concentrations of salts and urea, variations in urine acidity (different pH levels), and a relatively low protein concentration in urine.

Individual Trajectories of Specialist Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Young Adults With Substance Use Problems: A Cohort Study

Objective The aim of the study was to identify groups of young adults with distinct longitudinal patterns of use of treatment for substance use disorders and mental health (MH) problems and to investigate potential explanatory factors for different patterns of treatment use over time, including sociodemographic factors. Methods The sample consisted of 447 young adults aged 16–29 years who entered long-term residential substance use disorder treatment facilities in Norway from 2011 to 2016. In this study, we obtained data collected by the Norwegian Patient Registry and Statistics Norway. These data were linked with the electronic health record data of the substance use disorder treatment facilities from which the participants were recruited. Growth mixture modeling was performed. The identified groups were further compared using analysis of variance or χ 2 test. Results Four groups of participants for total treatment use, substance use disorder treatment use, and MH treatment use were identified. Most participants from the overall sample were classified as members of a group characterized by a low and stable pattern of treatment use over time. A group with a high and stable pattern of treatment use was identified in total and MH treatment use. The proportion of participants with higher levels of substance use disorder treatment use at the end of the study period than at the beginning was larger (35%) than in the case of MH treatment use (14.2%). Younger age was associated with a decreasing pattern of MH treatment use and with an increasing pattern of substance use disorder treatment use over time. There were larger proportions of female participants in groups with a stable high use of MH treatment and in groups with an initially increasing trend of substance use disorder treatment use. Findings revealed that most participants across the identified groups were recipients of welfare benefits, had low educational attainment, and were not working. Conclusions Results demonstrated significant variation in trajectories of treatment use among young adults with substance use disorder. Differences in treatment use could indicate differences in symptom severity and complexity. In this study, treatment use was associated with socioeconomic factors, sex, and age. Integrative approaches, including interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration, will often be necessary to sufficiently address the multidimensionality of substance use disorder.

Advancements in Hypospadias Management: Trends, Techniques, Training, and Patient-Centric Outcomes.

Hypospadias has drawn increasing attention due to its prevalence, complex etiology, and significant impacts on psychological and sexual quality of life. This comprehensive review delves into the facets of hypospadias management, exploring pivotal themes that shape present understanding and practice. We demonstrate potential explanatory factors for its incidence through an analysis of geographic, genetic, and environmental influences. We then contextualize care by exploring historical and evolving surgical techniques, and highlight that advances in surgical approaches employ a spectrum of repair strategies. Innovation in surgical training, with a focus on simulation-based methodologies, offers a bridge between didactic learning and real-world application, which is particularly relevant due to the demonstrated effect of personal experience with hypospadias repair outcomes. Considering the importance of mentorship, case exposure, and hands-on practice, a holistic understanding of expertise cultivation at each training stage is essential. Lastly, patient-centric outcomes research must take center stage, particularly as the impact of our interventions on children with hypospadias will be judged by them as adults. Shifting from solely surgeon-reported outcomes to patient-reported outcomes is emphasized in the review, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the influence of surgical interventions across the lifespan. Integrating patients' perspectives refines surgical decision-making to align with expectations, ultimately enhancing overall satisfaction. Our multi-pronged exploration of advancements in hypospadias underscores the symbiotic relationship between evolving surgical techniques, training methodologies, personal experience, and patientreported outcomes. As the field progresses, these insights will collectively contribute to optimizing hypospadias care, advancing both medical practice and patient well-being.

Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization

Abstract We measure trends in affective polarization in twelve OECD countries over the past four decades. According to our baseline estimates, the United States experienced the largest increase in polarization over this period. Five countries experienced a smaller increase in polarization. Six countries experienced a decrease in polarization. We relate trends in polarization to trends in potential explanatory factors.

Tolerance for Ambiguity: Correlations With Medical and Physical Therapy Student Traits and Experiences Within the Learning Environment.

Health care professions trainees and clinicians who perceive ambiguous situations as sources of threat (low tolerance for ambiguity [TFA]) experience greater risk for mental health disorders and professional burnout. Physical therapists likely encounter substantial ambiguity because of the biopsychosocial nature of their main therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to identify student traits and experiences within the learning environment that differentiate students with high and low TFA for medicine and physical therapy (PT), and to identify areas of interprofessional overlap and distinction. Graduation Questionnaire survey data from graduating PT (n = 2,727) and medical students (n = 33,159) from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years were sorted according to student TFA score, and respondents in the highest and lowest TFA quartiles were retained for analysis. Difference-in-differences analysis was used to reduce the number of potential explanatory factors to a parimonious subset that was put into linear regression models. Inferential statistics were applied to all significant factors identified from the linear regression models. For both professions, higher TFA was generally associated with more positive ratings of the learning environment (student-faculty interactions, faculty professionalism, satisfaction with career choice), lower experiences of exhaustion and disengagement (the 2 axes of academic burnout), and higher scores for the empathy domain of perspective taking. Uniquely for medical students, low TFA was associated with lower empathy scores and a lower degree of interest in working with underserved individuals. Findings suggest that for both professions, high TFA corresponded with better ratings of the educational experience and with traits that are advantageous for patient-centered practice and occupational resilience. Interventions to cultivate TFA among health care trainees may be an important way to meet the growing demand for humanistic health care professionals who are prepared to meet society's complex needs.

The Sustainable Development Goals and Large Spanish Companies: An analysis of their commitment based on their Non-Financial Reporting

This paper aims to analyse the level of commitment with the SDGs of large Spanish companies based on the information published in their Non-Financial Statements and their letters from the chairman. To achieve this objective and identify potential explanatory factors, a balanced sample of 58 Spanish companies, 29 listed and 29 unlisted, in 2019 has been used. The results of this study evidence: i) the greater commitment with the SDGs of companies which are exposed in the stock markets and those which are larger; ii) the relevance of the diversity into the boards of directors, in order to integrate the largest and the widest number of interests as well as those values and principles which are intrinsically associated to women directors; and iii) the greater emphasis on those SDGs related to well-known issues by these organizations, thanks to their greater experience in non-financial reporting, publishing documents such as corporate social responsibility or sustainability reports.

The natural resource management in Nunavut and Greenland – a perspective through historical institutionalism

ABSTRACT This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess major assets of natural resources, and the struggle for self-determination has triggered their metropolitan states (Denmark and Finland) and regional governments to consider some form of self-government. However, two different solutions have appeared due to gradual development through path dependency as legislation and form of government. Nunavut is a territory within the Canadian federal construction, based on Indigenous claims, while Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Danish unitary state. The land claims in Canada have given Nunavut some influence in the management of its natural resources, while Greenland has taken control of its subterranean resources through extended self-government implemented in 2009. This article will highlight the resource policy similarities and differences of the two territories via three potential explanatory factors: historical background, self-government, and the management of natural resources as a point of departure. The findings show that both regions have similarities in historical background and the management of natural resources, but there are also significant differences in how local authorities have addressed mining projects.

Moderating Effects of Authentic Happiness on the Relationship Between Health-seeking Behaviour and Treatment Adherence Among Patients with Hypertension

Background: Hypertension is a chronic health condition that requires consistent management and adherence to treatment. However, there is a dearth of empirical data on the psychological factors influencing treatment adherence among patients with hypertension in Nigeria. Objectives: To determine the moderating effects of authentic happiness on the relationship between health-seeking behaviour and treatment adherence among patients with hypertension. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design. Survey tools comprising items of the Authentic Happiness Scale, Health-seeking Behaviour Scale, Hill-bone Compliance High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale were used to obtain data from two hundred and ninety (290) patients who were selected by purposive sampling and met the study eligibility criteria. Results: Increase in health-seeking behaviour and authentic happiness showed significant effects on adherence to treatment [β1 = 0.241, t = 2.92, p = 0.004; β2 = 0.208, t = 4.80, p = 0.01 respectively]. The interaction between health-seeking behaviour and authentic happiness lacked significant effects on treatment adherence [β3 = 0.003, t = 0.032, p = 0.751]. The analysis of conditional effects revealed that the effects of health seeking behaviour on treatment adherence were significantly differentiated when happiness was low [β = 0.263, t = 2.46, p = 0.015], moderate [β = 0.241, t = 2.92, p = 0.004], or high [β = 0.219, t = 2.02, p = 0.044]. Conclusion: Health-seeking behaviour and authentic happiness are potential explanatory factors for adherence to treatment among patients with hypertension.

Identifying microbiota community patterns important for plant protection using synthetic communities and machine learning

Plant-associated microbiomes contribute to important ecosystem functions such as host resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The factors that determine such community outcomes are inherently difficult to identify under complex environmental conditions. In this study, we present an experimental and analytical approach to explore microbiota properties relevant for a microbiota-conferred host phenotype, here plant protection, in a reductionist system. We screened 136 randomly assembled synthetic communities (SynComs) of five bacterial strains each, followed by classification and regression analyses as well as empirical validation to test potential explanatory factors of community structure and composition, including evenness, total commensal colonization, phylogenetic diversity, and strain identity. We find strain identity to be the most important predictor of pathogen reduction, with machine learning algorithms improving performances compared to random classifications (94-100% versus 32% recall) and non-modelled predictions (0.79-1.06 versus 1.5 RMSE). Further experimental validation confirms three strains as the main drivers of pathogen reduction and two additional strains that confer protection in combination. Beyond the specific application presented in our study, we provide a framework that can be adapted to help determine features relevant for microbiota function in other biological systems.

P175: Cohort differences in depressive burden in old age: role of psychosocial, behavioral, and functional factors

Objective:Rapid societal changes occurred during the course of the 20th century. Previous literature has found an increase in depression over time for younger and middle- aged populations. Among older adults, the prevalence of major depression has been found to be stable over time, while for the milder forms, the findings are limited by the largely non-representative nature of analyzed samples. Given the dramatic secular changes in several factors linked to old-age depression, a careful examination of depressive symptom burden and prevalence of depression in representative cohorts of similarly-aged older adults separated in time is required.Methods:We will analyze data on 2,041 older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Separate individuals, aged 60 and 81 years were assessed with a Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) during detailed clinical examinations, separated in time by 15 years (2001 vs. 2016). Information on 21 depressive symptoms, is subsequently combined into diagnoses of major depression (presence of at least one core symptom [low mood and/or loss of interest], and at least five out of the nine symptoms); minor depression (presence of at least one core symptom, and two to four symptoms in total), and subsyndromal depression (presence of at least two symptoms in the absence of any other depression diagnoses). Psychosocial (loneliness, bereavement), behavioral (alcohol consumption, smoking), and functional factors (impairments in activities of daily living) are used as potential explanatory factors for any observed cohort differences in symptom burden or prevalence of depression.Results:For the 60-year old age-group, comparison of symptom burden and diagnostic status will be done across 739 participants assessed in 2001 and 677 people assessed in 2013. For the 81-year old age- group, comparisons will involve 236 people assessed in 2001, 194 people assessed in 2010, and 195 people assessed in 2016.Conclusion:Preliminary results are expected by March, once data entry and cleaning are completed. We hypothesize that the burden of depressive symptoms and the prevalence of depression will be lower in later born cohorts and that explanatory factors may account for some of the cohort effect.

Profiles of resilient psychosocial function during three isolated ski expeditions in the High Arctic.

To successfully complete a Polar expedition individuals and teams must respond resiliently to the environmental, psychological, and social demands they face. In this study we examined profiles of resilient function in seven people from three expeditions in the High Arctic. Using a structured daily diary, participants reported on experiences of physical health (morning and evening), affect, team cohesion, performance, and potential explanatory factors including sleep, demand appraisals, events, and coping strategies. Notable intra- and inter-individual variability was observed in daily reports and all profiles could be interpreted as representing resilient function. A number of significant relationships were found between markers of resilient physical and psychosocial function and potential explanatory variables. For example, there was much more daily variability in an individual's reporting of positive affect than prior research might imply, and what prior research designs could capture. Further, while negative affect tended to remain low and stable, our findings reveal that even minor and infrequent increases in negative emotions were significantly associated with other variables in the network. Finally, across the expedition period individual coping resources consistently exceeded demands, suggesting that individuals viewed the expedition as a challenge and not a threat. More broadly, these findings inform efforts to monitor, and maintain resilience when operating in Polar and other extreme settings.

Global Burden of Asthma, and Its Impact on Specific Subgroups: Nasal Polyps, Allergic Rhinitis, Severe Asthma, Eosinophilic Asthma.

The complex nature of asthma has resulted in a poor understanding of its epidemiology, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). Clinical subgroups, such as patients with severe asthma, eosinophilic asthma, allergic rhinitis, or nasal polyps, experience additional barriers to care. Prevalence estimates for asthma and key clinical subgroups were extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 and from a targeted literature review conducted through PubMed in October of 2021. National estimates were calculated and the roles of potential explanatory factors were explored through qualitative analysis. In total, 162 publications from 69 countries were included. Across continents, asthma prevalence values ranged from 3.44% (Asia), 3.67% (Africa), 4.90% (South America), 5.69% (Europe), 8.29% (North America), to 8.33% (Oceania). Globally, of those with asthma, 26.70% had severe asthma, 30.99% had eosinophilic asthma, 48.95% had allergic rhinitis, and 7.0% to 25.40% had nasal polyps. Countries with higher air quality, income status, and healthcare access and quality reported a higher asthma prevalence. Asthma prevalence values were low in LMICs, potentially indicating health system deficiencies resulting in low diagnosis and reporting. The prevalence of eosinophilic asthma and severe asthma phenotypes was high in many countries, although the prevalence estimates of all asthma subgroups were quite variable.

What's the impact of voice-hearing experiences on the social relating of young people: A comparison between help-seeking young people who did and did not hear voices.

Limited research has explored the specific impact of voice-hearing experiences upon the social relating of adolescents. This study examined the associations of voice-hearing in youth with social relating, and putative explanatory factors. An observational, cross-sectional design using a clinical comparison group was employed to examine historical and concurrent associations with voice-hearing. Thirty-four young people (age 14-18 years) with voice-hearing experiences and 34 young people who did not hear voices were recruited from NHS mental health services. Participants completed measures about social relating and potential explanatory factors. Analyses of covariance were used to examine between-group differences. Voice-hearers scored higher on negative schematic beliefs (self-beliefs, partial η2 = .163, p = .001; other-beliefs, partial η2 = .152, p =. 002) and depressive and anxiety symptoms (partial η2 = .23 and partial η2 = .24, p-s <. 001 respectively). The two groups did not differ significantly on childhood trauma levels (partial η2 = .02, p = .273), however, the voice-hearing group scored lower on premorbid adjustment (partial η2 = .19, p < .001). Hearing voices in help-seeking youth could be an indicator for social relating issues and holding negative schematic beliefs, and may be an indicator for of increased psychopathological complexity. Although poorer premorbid adjustment might indicate an early vulnerability to social relating difficulties, voice-hearing might be an aggravating factor and one that requires treatment.