Hearing Voices Network groups: experiences of eight voice hearers and the connection to group processes and recovery

Abstract

Voice hearing has a diverse history but is often understood as symptomatic of a psychotic disorder. Alternatives to “treatment” include peer-support “Hearing Voices Network groups” (HVNGs) which have grown in popularity and exist alongside professional-led hearing voices groups. Few studies have investigated processes underlying change in HVNGs. Established research into therapeutic factors and personal recovery may provide frameworks elucidating change processes. This study aimed to investigate how HVNG attendees experienced change within the group and how this change influenced their lives. A qualitative design was employed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to elucidate group processes through immersion in the perspectives of group attendees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight voice hearers from two HVNGs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Four superordinate themes emerged: “healing: connecting with humanity”; “group as an emotional container”; “making sense of the voices and me”; and “freedom to be myself and grow”. Relationships, safety, exploration of voices and group ownership were key components of HVNG, but require further study. These components were consistent with therapeutic factors and known recovery processes, so these established frameworks could be used to further investigate change processes in HVNGs.

Keywords:

• Hearing voices
• peer support
• recovery
• group processes
• psychosis

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my two fantastic research supervisors. Their support was tireless and containing. This sustained me over the long haul and enabled this project to flourish. I would also like to acknowledge the substantial academic support received from Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology. I would also like to say a special thanks to all the project participants. Their stories were greatly moving and their experience brought a unique dimension of expertise to this research. Thank you to my family for being so understanding and supportive during the course of this big project.