Thesis
You’re the Voice, Try and Understand it: Exploring a Possible Relationship Between Voice-Hearing Experiences and Schema Modes
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2023
Abstract
Theories of voice-hearing have suggested that trauma exposure and dissociation may incite the fragmentation of one’s personality into several distinct ‘parts’ manifesting as voices. Additionally, negative, and distressing voice content has been positively correlated with several early maladaptive schemas (dysfunctional patterns of beliefs and behaviour arising following trauma exposure) specified within the Schema Therapy framework. This framework further elaborates that multiple early maladaptive schemas may coalesce as up to 10 distinct schema modes representing distinct parts of the self (e.g., child parts, parts representing maladaptive coping strategies, and critical or punishing parental parts). This exploratory study aimed to investigate whether voice content may overlap with descriptions of schema modes provided within Schema Therapy literature. To this end, seven voice-hearers were recruited to engage in semi-structured individual interviews regarding the characteristics and content of their voices. Interview data were coded relative to definitions of each schema mode and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Findings suggested that a majority of the voices described by participants aligned with a schema mode, and most frequently a dysfunctional parent mode. These findings provide preliminary support for the further exploration of Schema Therapy as a framework for conceptualising and treating distressing voices.
Details
- Title
- You’re the Voice, Try and Understand it: Exploring a Possible Relationship Between Voice-Hearing Experiences and Schema Modes
- Authors/Creators
- Asher Bartulovich
- Contributors
- Petra Skeffington (Supervisor)Brianne Hastie (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Psychology
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005753935907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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