The iHEAR study is combining epidemiological, qualitative, neuroimaging and neurocognitive research to better understand the relationship between early life experiences, mental health, self-concept, cognitive and social functioning and brain development in young people who report early hallucinatory and/or delusion-like experiences (psychotic-like experiences). Uniquely, it will combine findings from the mixed methods used to provide new insights into the meaning  and significance of psychotic-like experiences in young people

We are using data from a large national study of over 6,000 young people in Ireland (the Growing Up in Ireland study)  and from a clinical interview and neuroimaging 

study of over 200 young people (the Adolescent Brain Development study). Both studies are longitudinal, ensuring we have access to data on young people from childhood to late adolescence and into early adulthood. We are examining the impact of early life experiences on later mental health and on psychotic-like experiences and

if and why psychotic-like experiences influence early adult outcomes.  

The iHEAR study is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will help to identify

if and why psychotic-like experiences are a risk factor for mental health and other difficulties in some young people but not in others. It will also help to identify areas

for early intervention with young people who may be at risk for poor outcomes. The study also has the potential to identify early neurocognitive and neurobiological indicators of risk in young people who report psychotic-like experiences. Finally, the study is asking young people if and how they understand and make sense of their

psychotic-like experiences, something few other youth-focused studies have done.