The impact of sharing experiences in a hearing voices group
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of sharing experiences in a hearing voices group: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
IRAS ID
146842
Contact name
Lois Arkley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Clinical psychiatry has traditionally regarded hearing voices as ‘auditory hallucinations’ and as a first-rank symptom of a ‘schizophrenic illness’. However, research conducted over the last 20 years has lead to an increased understanding that individuals can hear voices in the absence of any distress or formal mental health diagnosis. Subjective reports have described hearing voices as either coming from an external source (e.g. through the wall), or an internal source (i.e. inside the person's head).
Over the last 20 years self-help hearing voices groups have been widely accepted into mainstream mental health services in recognition of the view that the groups can be a helpful means of support. However, there is limited research to support this. As a result a wide-spread misunderstanding prevails that the groups are intended as a treatment approach that can be understood using objective measures. However, according to the Hearing Voices Network the groups are a place where individuals can receive encouragement, reassurance, support and acceptance of their experience, rather than a treatment. This study will aim to provide a deeper understanding of how individuals use hearing voices groups by exploring the lived experience of group members. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach will be employed. Specifically, through the use of semi-structured interviews, it will explore how individual members share experiences within hearing voices groups.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0152
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion