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A linguistic approach to the psychosis continuum: (dis)similarities and (dis)continuities in how clinical and non-clinical voice-hearers talk about their voices.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: "Continuum" approaches to psychosis have generated reports of similarities and differences in voice-hearing in clinical and non-clinical populations at the cohort level, but not typically examined overlap or degrees of difference between groups. Methods: We used a computer-aided linguistic approach to explore reports of voice-hearing by a clinical group (Early Intervention in Psychosis service-users; N = 40) and a non-clinical group (spiritualists; N = 27). We identify semantic categories of terms statistically overused by one group compared with the other, and by each group compared to a control sample of non-voice-hearing interview data (log likelihood (LL) value 6.63+=p < .01; effect size measure: log ratio 1.0+). We consider whether individual values support a continuum model. Results: Notwithstanding significant cohort-level differences, there was considerable continuity in language use. Reports of negative affect were prominent in both groups (p < .01, log ratio: 1.12+). Challenges of cognitive control were also evident in both cohorts, with references to "disengagement" accentuated in service-users (p < .01, log ratio: 1.14+). Conclusion: A corpus linguistic approach to voice-hearing provides new evidence of differences between clinical and non-clinical groups. Variability at the individual level provides substantial evidence of continuity with implications for cognitive mechanisms underlying voice-hearing.

SUBMITTER: Collins LC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7713671 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A linguistic approach to the psychosis continuum: (dis)similarities and (dis)continuities in how clinical and non-clinical voice-hearers talk about their voices.

Collins Luke C LC Semino Elena E Demjén Zsófia Z Hardie Andrew A Moseley Peter P Woods Angela A Alderson-Day Ben B

Cognitive neuropsychiatry 20201106 6

Introduction: "Continuum" approaches to psychosis have generated reports of similarities and differences in voice-hearing in clinical and non-clinical populations at the cohort level, but not typically examined overlap or degrees of difference between groups. Methods: We used a computer-aided linguistic approach to explore reports of voice-hearing by a clinical group (Early Intervention in Psychosis service-users; N = 40) and a non-clinical group (spiritualists; N ...[more]

PMID: 33158372

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Project description:BackgroundMeta-dehumanisation and self-dehumanisation have been identified as potentially relevant phenomena for developing a deeper understanding of distress related to voice-hearing, particularly those experiencing voices as part of psychosis. Chadwick has previously argued that those with psychosis, including those who hear distressing voices, typically feel "dehumanised and set apart by their experiences of psychosis and trauma." The present study explores the subjective experience of self-dehumanisation in people who experience distressing voices, which was selected as a useful starting point to inform future research focused on understanding dehumanisation in people with psychosis.MethodsQualitative data was obtained through twenty semi-structured interviews with self-identifying voice hearers and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. This followed the recursive six phase procedure of Braun and Clarke, and this was conducted from a critical realist, contextualist position.ResultsReflexive thematic analysis of participant's experiences produced a core theme, Dehumanisation as the End of Experiential Continua, and six subthemes: Extent of Distressing Sensory Fragmentation; Sense of Belonging with Other Humans; Integrity of Self as a Private, Coherent Entity; Sense of Worth as a Human Being; Strength of Personal Agency; and Trust in Own Credibility and Reliability. Two further themes, The Push and Pull of Dehumanising Forces and Reclaiming Life through Humanising Forces, were identified. Findings were presented to a panel of five experts by experience, all with lived experience of psychosis and service-use; all five strongly endorsed the themes as fitting with and expressing their own experiences of self-dehumanisation.ConclusionReflexive thematic analysis of voice hearers' accounts identified self-dehumanisation as the endpoint where six experiential continua coalesce. Experiential movement along these continua was affected by a range of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and societal forces over time, including dehumanising attitudes of others and voice malevolence and omnipotence. Future research might examine if and how psychological therapies aimed at those experiencing distressing voices, such as people experiencing psychosis may address feelings of self-dehumanisation.

Dataset Information

A linguistic approach to the psychosis continuum: (dis)similarities and (dis)continuities in how clinical and non-clinical voice-hearers talk about their voices.

Publications

A linguistic approach to the psychosis continuum: (dis)similarities and (dis)continuities in how clinical and non-clinical voice-hearers talk about their voices.

Similar Datasets

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