ABSTRACT
The authors describe the first stage of a Grounded Theory study that, collectively with the second stage described in the following chapter, culminated in the development of the Tripartite Relationship Theory. In this chapter, the voice hearing experiences of people who have received mental healthcare support for distress related to their voice hearing are presented. The interview data illustrates that less than half of the participants valued and experienced comparatively positive relationships with their voices, which included more perceived agency regarding their voices and related treatment, and comparatively less voice-related distress. By contrast, most participants in this study reportedly wanted rid of and experienced negative relationships with their voices, including a comparative lack of agency with their voices and related treatment, and subsequently perceived their voices as hostile and critical.
