Oldal 75 [75]
OCR
5. USING INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ® 73 is external (‘the voices are not inside me’). Consequently, the hearer cannot exert control over the voice because it is beyond their physical boundaries. Thus, the voice overtakes the self (Chadwick, 2006). The agency relationship of the voice and the self relates to the internal voice; thus, the person does not feel threatened. This relationship allows the hearer to cope and successfully take control over the voices (Newton et al., 2007). In this study, the internal interpretation was a consequence of the acceptance of the voice hearing condition. It was also an adequate explanation for the voices when the relationship between the voice and the self changed and the role of the voice changed. Voice hearers who identify internal voices (thus have an adequate explanation) talk more often to the voice and feel a greater sense of control. However, it is important to note that in these cases the voice is positive and provides help during everyday activity; therefore, the hearer is less willing to control it (Rosen et al., 2015). This can result in a peaceful partnership with the voice, which Chin and colleagues (2009) called the construction of. The hearer recognises that the voice will not disappear (long-term understanding) and believes that it is therefore better to accept it than fight against it (Chin et al., 2009; Mawson et al., 2011; Milligan et al., 2012; Rosen et al., 2015). The self-help group significantly helped the participants identify and deal with the voices. Previous IPA studies of voice hearers have found that self-help groups serve as a turning point in the life story of voice hearers (Hendry, 2011; Mawson et al., 2011; Milligan et al., 2012; Newton et al., 2007). Ruddle, Mason, and Wykes (2011) summarised the factors that help voice hearers cope. They noted that the change provided by the self-help group is primarily due to its safe (friendly, tolerant, etc.) environment, where participants can share their experiences and feel less alone. The support of others and the acceptance experienced in the group helps in the coping. Hearers receive an explanation for the voices (in this study group, doctors, peers and reading were other factors that helped), making successful coping and control possible (Newton et al., 2007). The self-help group also helps participants improve their social skills (Ruddle et al., 2011). The voices often set boundaries in hearers’ social relationships (Mawson et al., 2011), making it a calming experience to be with similar people (Newton et al., 2007). The group also increases self-esteem (Ruddle et al., 2011), as for the voice hearer it is closely connected to the relationship with the voice and how the voice accepts her (Mawson et al., 2011). The group is not only functioning as a social support, but also enables members to see their experiences as precious and as a personal encounter. The lessons learned are value for peers to hear (e.g. coping repertoire) (Newton et al., 2007). This helps with destigmatisation (Ruddle et al., 2011). The primary aim of self-help groups is to change the relationship between the voice and the self - similarly in our study the method played a crucial role in changing the relationship - which decreases distress as a consequence (Ruddle et al., 2011).
