Psychometric properties of the hindi version of beliefs about voices questionnaire-revised

Background: The cognitive model of auditory hallucinations posits that the beliefs or appraisal of the voices plays an important role in the determination of consequent reactions. These beliefs are explored effectively through “Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised (BAVQ-R).” However, Hindi adaptation and psychometric evaluation of this tool are yet to be done. Hence, the present study aimed at translating the BAVQ-R in Hindi language and assessing the psychometric properties of the same. Methodology: The original version was translated in Hindi language using translation–back-translation method. This translated version of BAVQ-R was then administered to 51 schizophrenia patients with a history of active auditory hallucinations. All the participants were selected from Central India Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), using purposive sampling technique. Initially, the informed consent was taken from the patients, followed by the administration of the Hindi version of BAVQ-R and Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS). Finally, the psychometric properties, e.g., internal consistency reliability, divergent validity, and convergent validity were calculated. Results: The internal consistency reliability was within the range of 0.6–0.94, as indicated by Cronbach's alpha. The divergent validity was high as malevolent voices and engagement feelings and behavior towards the voices were negatively correlated (r = −0.56, P < 0.01), and benevolent voices significantly negatively correlated with resistance feeling and behavior towards the voices (r = −0.74, P < 0.01). Convergent validity was measured by correlating the subscales of BAVQ-R with the dimensions of PSYRATS. Pearson's correlation indicated significant associations between the dimensions of the two scales. Conclusion: The Hindi version of BAVQ-R has good psychometric properties. The tool has good internal consistency along with high divergent and convergent validity.