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74 = USING INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
5.5. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
This study emphasises the changes as a result of the voice hearing method
that is connected with the change in hearers’ relationship with their voices
(Figure 1) and that affected the development in hearers’ social relationships
(Figure 2). In the initial phase of voice hearing, social relationships decline
as the voice hearer intentionally avoids those situations where they are un¬
comfortable. Mawson and colleagues’ (2011) study showed that voice hearers
thought their voice hearing was a burden for others and therefore avoided
social interaction. In the case of smaller social networks, there is a bigger
emphasis on the voice, as the voice can replace the role of a friend. This rela¬
tionship is considered asymmetric because the voice makes the voice hearer
believe that they do not deserve the relationship. Thus, the voice hearer refuses
social relationships and believes that they would be refused by others. This
study shows an opening to the outside world parallel to the change in the
relationship with the voice.
SYMMETRIC, SUPPORTIVE
POSITIVE
OUTSIDE INSIDE
NEGATIVE
ASYMMETRIC, DIRECTIVE
1. Figure Relation with voices
ASYMMETRIC, SUBORDINATING,
DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP
STIGMA
DISTANCE, (SELF-HELP)
ISOLATION GROUP
INVOLVEMENT
DESTIGMATIZATION
SYMMETRIC, (SELF-HELP) GROUP
MEMBERSHIP, RECOVERING HELPER-GROUP
MEMBER RELATIONSHIP
2. Figure Relation with voices and social others