Hearing voices and the quest for autonomy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Hearing voices is often experienced as being controlling, powerful, threatening or critical. This study aimed to examine the lived experiences of autonomy among people who hear voices.

Employing a qualitative design, this study sought to examine the personal narratives and meaning-making processes of voice hearers and gain deeper insights into the nuanced ways autonomy is experienced, diminished, attempted, re-established and constructed by those who hear voices.

In-depth semi-structured phenomenological interviews with six voice hearers were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to capture the ways participants interpret and respond to their experiences.

Participants' accounts revealed that autonomy was continuously negotiated, requiring reflection, adaptation and self-regulation. Three superordinate themes were identified in the data. First, participants reflected on how hearing voices challenged their sense of self, individuality and the space available for self-authorship. As such, developing a personally meaningful narrative was crucial for re-establishing autonomy. Second, they portrayed a co-existing dynamic where autonomy and power were shared and negotiated with voices. Third, participants described how hearing voices interfered with their perceived competence, and decision-making, introducing limitations to their ability to navigate life on their own terms. Participants' capacity for integration, and perceptions of their ability to influence and cause change, affected the extent to which they felt self-determined.

This study highlights the importance of supporting voice hearers in constructing meaningful, self-oriented narratives to strengthen their sense of autonomy. Future research should explore strategies that empower voice hearers to integrate their experiences constructively, thereby promoting resilience and autonomy.