“Maybe it’s kind of normal to hear voices”: The role of spirituality in making sense of voice hearing

Lewis, Sophie Hannah; Sanderson, Chris; Gupta, Anjula; Klein, Claire

Abstract

First-person accounts of voice hearing are scarce. This research aims to explore the role of spirituality in the sense-making process of hearing voices. Five semistructured interviews explored experiences of spirituality and hearing voices. Qualitative data was analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes were identified: need for connection, values about self and identity, and making sense. The findings suggest a relationship between spirituality and voice hearing, and relate to the need for belongingness and self-identity. Acknowledging the sense making process and engaging in conversations about spirituality are implicated when providing clinical interventions for distressing voice hearing. Future research could explore further the differences between voices associated with spiritual experiences and “psychosis.”

Citation

Lewis, S. H., Sanderson, C., Gupta, A., & Klein, C. (in press). “Maybe it’s kind of normal to hear voices”: The role of spirituality in making sense of voice hearing. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2018.1520183

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 3, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 28, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 29, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1934-9637
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-16
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2018.1520183
• Keywords: Applied Psychology; Religious studies; Social Sciences (miscellaneous); Social Psychology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1085193
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19349637.2018.1520183
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wspi20
• Contract Date: Oct 22, 2018