People who hear voices: how relationships with their voices change
Research type
Research Study
Full title
People who hear voices: How do their relationships with their voices change over time?
IRAS ID
247838
Contact name
Mike Jackson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
People who hear voices: How do their relationships with their voices change over time?
This study aims to look at the experiences of people who hear voices. Originally when people heard voices, the voices were seen as randomly generated by the brain no real meaning. Recent research has indicated that there are strong relationships between how voices are experienced, and the person experiences and perceptions of the world around them. Anecdotal evidence suggests that how people experience their voices can change over time, and that these changes often reflect changes in their external environment. This research will increase our understanding of how people’s relationships with their voice(s) changes over time. This will help practitioners in the field to better work with clients, and help people who hear voices to understand their experiences.
The study is a qualitative study interviewing people who hear voices. Participants will be invited to take part in a semi-structured interview, which is anticipated to last 1 – 1 ½ hours. The interviews will explore the story of participants’ voice hearing, from when they first started hearing voices, to the current day, asking about changes in how they related to their voice(s), and what was happening in their lives at the times of these changes. These interviews will take place on NHS / GP / University properties, or in participants’ homes depending on participants wishes and room availability.
The study aims to interview ten people, and will be completed by May 2019.
The study is funded by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) in conjunction with Bangor University.
The study will be recruiting from people who have previously participated in research into voice-hearing, and who indicated that they would be happy to be approached regarding future research; and from services users from the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS), and Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT).REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0474
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion