Cultural differences and migrants’ interpretations of their voices

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this survivor-researcher-led study is to explore the agency of voice-hearers who are migrants and/or from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in actively negotiating the gaps between their understanding of hearing voices, and those of their family, their society or the medical establishment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws four case studies of voice-hearers, who are migrants and/or from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Data were thematically analysed.

Findings

This study shows how bilingual voice-hearers related emotionally to voices in one or two languages.

Originality/value

This study is original in that it shows that bilingual voice-hearers may hear their voice/s in either their native language or second language, but that in both cases voices may embody strong positive or negative emotions.

Citation

Austin, R. (2024), "Cultural differences and migrants’ interpretations of their voices", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-05-2024-0075