Experiences of Hearing Voices Network groups, recovery & group process
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How people experience Hearing Voices Network groups and the connection to recovery and group processes.
IRAS ID
139694
Contact name
Thomas Payne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Research summary
This purpose of this study is to explore people’s experiences of attending Hearing Voices Network groups. It will help us to understand the content, the processes in operation within the groups, and their effect on recovery. The study will consider links to recent research on recovery and ’therapeutic group processes’ (that is, the different things which people find helpful/therapeutic about attending a group).
Although benefits of the groups have been reported, the processes whereby individuals come to experience these have seen limited exploration. In-depth qualitative research can capture the complexities of how people construct meanings about their experiences. This approach can therefore be used to increase our understanding of the usefulness and challenges of the groups, and the role they play for people, services and organisations.
For the research I aim to conduct interviews lasting approximately one hour in which I will ask participants i) for basic demographic information, ii) about experiences of attending the group and how these experiences have impacted their life outside the groups (the main part), and finally iii) for information about their recovery stage with a basic measure (Mental Health Recovery Measure) to help provide information about the overall sample of individuals. I aim to interview eight individuals from Hearing Voices Network groups being facilitated/co-facilitated within South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS by SLAM staff who I have established links with. As a contingency, if I fail to recruit enough individuals from these groups I would aim to approach other groups via other London-based NHS trusts or the Hearing Voices Network themselves.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1734
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion