Investigating AVHs narratives through text analysis: the proposal of Dialogic Science for tackling stigmatization

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are a stigmatized symptom of psychological conditions.
• Current research on AVHs lacks standardized methods for studying and reducing stigma.
• Community perspectives on AVHs are crucial for improved understanding and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate community discourses surrounding AVHs.
• Determine the extent to which these discourses drive stigmatization.
• Develop a methodology to analyze and measure the impact of AVH narratives.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the "PsicoVoice" project in Italy, analyzing 54,320 text instances from 268 participants.
• Employed MADIT (Method for Analysis of DIscourses and Texts), a mixed-methods text analysis approach.
• Examined rhetorical-argumentative structures to measure the practical impact of narratives on AVH interactions.

Main Results:

• Community discourses on AVHs are primarily shaped by absolute, personal belief-driven modalities.
• This narrative style fosters a stigmatizing environment, even without overtly judgmental language.
• Static representations and personal opinions limit nuanced interactions regarding AVHs.

Conclusions:

• Addressing narrative structures in community discourses is key to reducing AVH stigma.
• Interventions targeting these narratives can shift the social construction of AVHs.
• Findings offer insights for creating more inclusive and supportive community environments for individuals with AVHs.