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The distress experienced by voice hearers is associated with the perceived relationship between the voice hearer and the voice
Author(s) -
Vaughan Sam,
Fowler David
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1348/014466504323088024
Subject(s) - psychology , distress , distancing , style (visual arts) , perception , social psychology , clinical psychology , covid-19 , medicine , disease , archaeology , pathology , neuroscience , infectious disease (medical specialty) , history
Objectives: To explore the relationship between distress and the perceptions that voice hearers have of their relationship with the voice they hear. We predicted that a dominant style of relating by the voice and a submissive and distancing style of relating by the voice hearer would be linked with distress. Method: Thirty people who were hearing voices took part in the study. Information was gathered about the characteristics of the voice‐hearing experience, the level of distress experienced in relation to the voice, the relationship between the voice hearer and the voice, and level of depression. Results: The tendency for the voice to relate in a dominating, insulting manner and the tendency of individuals to react with suspicion and lack of communication with the voice were uniquely associated with distress. Conclusions: Appraisals of the relationship between the voice and voice hearer made by voice hearers are associated with differing emotional responses to voices. Clinical assessments of people who have distressing voices may be enhanced by a detailed consideration of the sort of relationship that exists between the client and their voice.