Social identification, identity integration, and wellbeing in people who hear voices

Lorna I. Hogg, Laura G. E. Smith, Tim Kurz, Anthony P. Morrison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (SciVal)

Abstract

Objectives: Hearing voices is associated with public stigma and this can influence readiness to identify as a voice hearer (VH) and psychological wellbeing. In this study, we investigated the relationships between a VH social identity, the integration of that identity with other important social identities and wellbeing. Design: Cross-sectional study, with a subset of longitudinal data across three time points. Methods: People who self-identified as voice hearers completed questionnaires (VH social identity, identity integration, wellbeing and perceptions of in-group and out-group empathy) at three time points, spaced at 3-monthly intervals. The final sample comprised 182 participants at T1, 91 at T2 and 75 at T3. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses were used to test all hypotheses. Results: The integration of a VH social identity was strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing at T1. Identity integration was also associated with static wellbeing scores at 6 months. Effects on wellbeing were not accounted for by either severity of voice-hearing or paranoia. Whilst perceptions of in-group empathy were associated with VH social identification, perceptions of outgroup empathy were important for identity integration. Conclusions: Integrating a VH social identity with other important identities into a coherent sense of self is important for wellbeing in voice hearers; perceived in-group and outgroup empathy are important in this process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-233
JournalPsychology and Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice
Volume97
Issue number2
Early online date14 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2024

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

Funding

We thank individuals who agreed to participate in this research to share their valuable experiences and insights. Thank you also to NIHR RCF for funding to support Prolific Academic recruitment.

Keywords

  • discrimination
  • empathy
  • hearing voices
  • internalised stigma
  • psychosis
  • social identity
  • stigma
  • wellbeing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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