An exploration into the factors that facilitate or hinder recovery from voice hearing

Akinshegun, Nzinga

Abstract

Background: Hearing voices is usually defined as an auditory hallucination with no originating external stimuli. Recovery from psychosis has traditionally been conceptualised as a biomedical disorder which is managed via symptom reduction. It is believed to be an organic disease which causes significant disruption and has a severe impact on the individual’s life. In this study, we explore the idea that recovery from hearing voices is both possible and achievable and examine the idea that recovery from hearing voices is associated with psycho-social factors that mean that recovery, and/or living alongside voice hearing, is conceivable.

Methods: This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to interview seven voice hearers on their experience of voice hearing and examined what factors contributed or hindered voice hearing recovery.

Results: Five superordinate themes were found these were: (1) Voice hearing described as distressing and related to negative life events; (2) Religion and spirituality as both healer and iniquitous force; (3) Parenthood and a lack of agency vs. being parented; (4) Helpful vs. unhelpful systems; (5) Recovery linked to self-actualisation and wellbeing

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2025
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13284442
• Award Date: Feb 21, 2025