The Questionnaire for Psychotic Experiences: Preliminary validation of the Italian version (QPE-I) in a general population sample

Authors

  • Marta Moselli Department of Humanities, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy
  • Chiara Gagliardi Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
  • Arianna Quassoni <div>Department of Humanities, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy</div>
  • Alessandra D'Agostino Department of Humanities, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-4952

Keywords:

Delusions, Interview, Hallucinations, Psychotic experiences.

Abstract

Introduction: Psychotic experiences (PEs), such as hallucinations and delusions, are transdiagnostic phenomena that can range from subclinical manifestations in the general population to more severe and distressing forms in the psychiatric populations. The Questionnaire for Psychotic Experiences (QPE) is a trans-diagnostic tool to explore the diverse and nuanced phenomenology of psychotic experiences from a quali-quantitative perspective.  This study presents the preliminary validation of the Italian version of the Questionnaire for Psychotic Experiences (QPE-I), assessing its psychometric properties in a general population sample.

Methods: A preliminary validation study was conducted with 87 adults from the general population (M = 29.33, SD = 7.30). Participants completed the Italian version of the QPE (QPE-I) and additional self-report measures. Psychometric analyses included principal component analysis (PCA), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), convergent and divergent validity, and inter-scale correlations.

Results: The results indicate that the QPE-I largely retains the core structure of the original instrument while adapting to the Italian context. The QPE-I shows good cross-cultural adaptation, internal consistency, reliability, and convergent and divergent validity. As expected for a non-clinical sample, frequencies of hallucinations and delusions were low but detectable.

Conclusion: The QPE-I facilitates the transdiagnostic exploration of psychotic experiences by distinguishing qualitative differences in hallucinations and delusions among individuals. The QPE-I also has potential clinical applications in psychotherapy by providing a means of monitoring symptomatic change and therapeutic outcomes. However, this preliminary study is limited by its small sample size and inclusion of only non-clinical participants. Future research with larger and clinical samples is essential to complete the validation process.

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Published

24-12-2025

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Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025)

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Clinical Psychology

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