Personal Growth with Auditory and Visual Hallucinations - v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Personal Growth with Auditory and Visual Hallucinations
IRAS ID
171298
Contact name
Lily Dixon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
Hallucinations are defined as the perception of an object or event in the absence of any stimulus. Research has suggested that this hearing and seeing things that others do not is a universal human occurrence; yet, people often think of auditory and visual hallucinations as a negative and disturbing experience. Individuals experiencing hallucinations are most likely to encounter stigma and a lack of hope from the doctors and other clinicians around them, arguably due to previous research and media focussing on the negatives. This research goes beyond mere clinical recovery and considers the potential for hallucinatory experiences to produce individual transformation and personal growth; aiming to deepen our understanding of the development and expectations of such positive change.Rationale
This research will supply an alternative to the usual negative literature; challenging societal perceptions, reducing stigma and helping promote much needed hope. Currently, literature supporting this development of personal growth with hallucinatory experiences is novel, in its infancy and empirically limited; therefore further research into the occurrence (and what helps or hinders the development of this growth) is required to better inform service provisions.Methodology
The present study will explore personal growth with auditory and visual hallucinations by interviewing people who have had experiences of seeing and hearing things that others do not. The interview will last approximately one hour, during which the researcher will ask the participant some general questions but also allow the discussion to be led by the participant; this will then generate qualitative data. The study adopts a methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (a research technique for qualitative investigation, see section A13 for more detail), through this the study shall identify emerging themes depicting the research results.Participants
The research aims to recruit six to ten participants currently involved with Community Mental Health Teams in the Hull and East Riding area. Participants will be over the age of 18 and involved in services due to an experience of auditory or visual hallucinations unrelated to substance use.Research Questions
How (if at all) is personal growth with auditory and visual hallucinations experienced?
What are individuals’ expectations of personal growth with hallucinations?
What facilitates and impairs the development of personal growth with hallucinations?REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0166
Date of REC Opinion
1 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion