Exploring Voice Hearers' Occupational Experience of Romantic and Sexual Relationships

Abstract

Background: Limited research has been conducted that explores the impact of occupations with individuals who hear voices within occupational therapy. Currently, there are no studies that solely focus on romantic and/or sexual relationships with voice-hearers, including the impact it has on their occupational experience with a partner. This study aims to address this gap by capturing the experience of romantic and sexual relationships for those who hear voices.

Method: A phenomenological approach gathered data from a survey, electronic diaries, and interview of three voice-hearers who were interested or actively in a casual or serious relationship. Data was transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Individuals who identified as voice-hearers each had their own unique experience and their voices were considered to either be positive, negative, or neutral. All of the participants reported that the voices in some way impacted their past or current romantic and sexual relationships. The dynamic relationship between voices and occupation could directly or indirectly impact the experience of occupation with their partner. Voices with personas were found to have varying levels of participation within occupations. Therefore, occupations perceived to be individual could be considered co-occupations between the participant and their voices. Support wanted and needed from their partner looked and felt differently for each individual, as the experience of hearing voices is individualized. Navigating the medical system was found to be challenging, which may require more support from their partner.

Conclusion: This research challenges the idea of the individual having full agency during occupational performance. Because voices can actively participate during co-occupations, practitioners need to inquire about their voices during evaluation and include them during interventions.