How neurodiverse couples make sense of their subjective experiences within couples therapy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study is aimed at exploring how female partners experience their male partners’ use of pornography. It is reported that therapists are increasingly being called upon to support female partners presenting with difficulties relating to their male partners’ porn use (Hall, 2015), but that clinicians feel under-prepared to work effectively with these clients due to a lack of training and the limited availability of empirically based literature (Ayres & Haddock, 2009). Consequently, there appears to be a growing need for research in this area that can provide insight and guidance for clinicians. The phenomenological epistemology and relativist ontology that underpin this study place an emphasis on understanding the subjective lived experiences of the participants; a focus which seems congruent with the philosophical underpinnings of counselling psychology. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six female participants. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis through which four master themes were identified: ‘Pushing her limits of acceptance: The ongoing discoveries’; ‘The female partner’s meaning-making’; ‘A lonely experience’; and ‘The layers of loss’. New insights regarding the interplay between the female partners’ meaning-making and their responses highlight the multi-layered and complex experiences of these participants. A number of implications for practice are discussed including the importance of clinicians moving away from a model of pathology to one of promoting well-being and validating female partners’ emotions and experiences regardless of whether a diagnosis (of porn or sexual addiction, for example) is present. The findings may serve to inform individual and group work with both female partners and male users, as well as couple work. Finally, it is hoped that providing insight into the lived experiences of female partners may encourage a more empathetic and understanding response from male porn users and society when female partners seek their support. The limitations of the study are discussed as well as further areas for research.

Since the World Trade Centre terror attacks of 2001 the intelligence domain has grown rapidly. In keeping with this growth has been a significant increase of scholarly interest in the domain. The intelligence literature is dominated by research into the failures of the discipline, organisational structure and the politics of intelligence. The intelligence analyst is a critical component of the intelligence domain yet is remarkably absent from the intelligence literature. This research seeks to address that imbalance by examining the lived experience of the analyst operating in the law enforcement intelligence domain. To this end, interpretive phenomenology was employed to understand the meanings attributed to analysts’ subjective experiences in order to identify enablers and barriers that impact their crucial function in law enforcement. A purposive sample of eight analysts participated in in‐depth, semi structured interviews. Transcripts were subjected in interpretive phenomenological analysis, which revealed two superordinate themes: Self and Work/Home Divide. These referred to internal and external factors that impacted upon participants’ functioning, some of which may have a negative impact on psychological wellbeing while others are relevant to efficient functioning within the workplace. Two subthemes being communication and internal conflict are discussed in depth.

Transitioning from clinical care to community-based self-management represents a significant challenge, throughout which social support can facilitate health adjustment and quality of life. However, community-centred, peer-led support structures are often underused. This study aimed to investigate the decision-making processes involved in the choice to attend a chronic pain support group (CPSG) following discharge from a Pain Management Programme. An in-depth, qualitative analysis was undertaken using interpretative phenomenological analysis, exploring participants' subjective experiences, decision-making, and rationale for initial CPSG attendance. Twelve participants (four males, eight females) were recruited from a regional CPSG and completed semi-structured interviews lasting between 45 and 120min. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed idiographically before a cross-case analysis was completed. Analysis of transcripts resulted in three superordinate themes: (1) The thirst for comparative friendship; (2) conjecture and the imminent choice; (3) progressive pain management. These themes reflect a desire for empathic, socially comparative friendships and the search for a forum in which to enhance pain self-management strategies, yetalso internal conflict over initial CPSG attendance. Social support and associated friendships are attractive to prospective CPSG members and are conceptualized as opportunities to engage in social comparison and nurture self-care. The first visit to the support group presents a significant hurdle, but can be facilitated by managing the transition between therapeutic care and CPSG attendance. Clinicians can challenge preconceptions, foster positive viewpoints regarding the group and support collective decision-making to attend. Following initial attendance, psychosocial well-being was enhanced. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Social support functions as a protective buffer against declining health. Joining a peer-led support group can be initially intimidating and the first visit presents a significant hurdle. What does this study add? Participants are predominantly attracted to support groups due to the opportunity to develop new friendships. Health-related peer groups function as fora for social comparison, enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy. Experience of pain management programmes primes willingness to attend support groups. The initial decision to attend is difficult but facilitated by collective, group decision-making processes. Health care professionals dynamically prime the transition towards peer support structures.

This study employs interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to investigate the experiences, causes, cessation triggers, relationship recovery strategies, and outcomes associated with child abuse from the perspective of divorced mothers. The researcher applied a double hermeneutic approach within IPA to explore participants' subjective experiences and meanings empathetically. Five divorced mothers participated, with data collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews. These interviews were analyzed following the procedures for IPA outlined by Smith, Flowers, and Larkin (2009). The analysis identified 74 emergent themes, which were then grouped into 15 subordinate themes and subsequently synthesized into six superordinate themes. These superordinate themes offer insight into the participants' lived experiences, with discussions and implications derived from the findings.

Objectives: Evidence of the contribution of emotional processes to the emergence, maintenance, and experience of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) suggests that clinical approaches which target these processes could be beneficial. In this study, qualitative methods were used to examine patients’ perspectives and subjective experiences of emotional processes in the context of a psychotherapy assessment and treatment service for MUS provided in a hospital emergency department (ED). Methods: Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with ED patients presenting with MUS who received a course of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy treatment. Results: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed with three superordinate themes emerging: Barriers to examining emotional processes; reflections on the therapeutic process; psychological change; and improved well-being. Obstacles to clinical engagement in treatment for MUS were described in relation to patients’ and therapists’ ability to identify, address, and utilize emotion processes. Specific elements of this work were identified as integral components of the psychotherapy change process for MUS. Conclusions: Directly observing the physical effects of emotional experiencing in MUS provides sensory evidence that can enable patients to make mind–body connections. Psycho-emotional processes warrant further study to explore the applicability to other conceptual models for assessing and treating MUS.Clinical and methodological significance: In this article, we highlight that Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) are a priority area for both physical and mental health care services. We present findings relevant to the effectiveness of a novel psychotherapy innovation within a hospital emergency department (ED). The use of interpretative phenomenological analysis to study the experiences of ED clients with MUS offers an established qualitative method for exploring the processes underlying therapeutic change. The results provide new insights around obstacles to engagement alongside potential solutions when addressing the psychological needs of clients with MUS. Although emotion processes have been described as a potentially important change process for MUS and in psychotherapy more generally, little empirical research has studied these two areas collectively.

What about me? The loss of self through the experience of traumatic childbirth

Background: The study explores citizens’ subjective experiences with occupational-rehabilitation meetings and their health literacy levels. Methods: We used the method “Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis” (IPA) to investigate six citizens’ subjective experiences with an occupational-rehabilitation meeting. The nine domain Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) was used to measure the participants’ individual levels of health literacy. With an inductive approach, the individual levels of health literacy were compared to the citizens’ subjective experiences with the occupational-rehabilitation meeting. Results: Six superordinate themes applied to all participants: the importance of the meeting; the experience of the structure of the meeting; the relationship to the social worker; the importance of an assessor; comprehension of information; and interaction with the occupational-rehabilitation team. Health literacy levels differed between the participants and a variation was seen within the nine do...

The primary aim of this qualitative study was to delineate psychological mechanisms of change in the first randomized controlled trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Theories regarding psychological processes involved in psychedelic therapy remain underdeveloped. Participants (N = 13) mostly identified as non-Hispanic and White, with approximately equal proportions of cisgender men and women. Participants engaged in semistructured interviews about their subjective experiences in the study. Questions probed the nature of participants' drinking before and after the study as well as coping patterns in response to strong emotions, stress, and cravings for alcohol. Verbatim transcripts were coded using Dedoose software, and content was analyzed with interpretive phenomenological analysis. Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and helped promote states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness. The acute states during the psilocybin sessions were described as laying the foundation for developing more self-compassionate regulation of negative affect. Participants also described newfound feelings of belonging and an improved quality of relationships following the treatment. Our results support the assertion that psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, and diminishes shame-based and self-critical thought patterns while improving affect regulation and reducing alcohol cravings. These findings suggest that psychosocial treatments that integrate self-compassion training with psychedelic therapy may serve as a useful tool for enhancing psychological outcomes in the treatment of AUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Gender discrimination in the workplace remains a persistent issue in the education sector, where female teachers continue to experience unequal treatment that affects their professional roles and personal well-being. This study aims to explore female teachers’ lived experiences of gender discrimination, focusing on how they perceive and navigate gender bias, the impacts of discrimination on their professional and personal lives, and the coping strategies they employ. Using a phenomenological approach, this study applied Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to in-depth data collected through semi-structured interviews with three female teachers. The findings reveal multiple dimensions of gender discrimination in the school environment, including its underlying causes, psychoemotional impacts, limited institutional support, the role of the work environment, participants’ expectations for change, and strategies used to cope with discriminatory practices. From the perspective of positive psychology, the results indicate that gender discrimination undermines subjective well-being and constrains the development of individual potential. Female teachers largely rely on personal resilience and peer support in the absence of systematic organizational protection. The novelty of this study lies in its phenomenological examination of gender discrimination by foregrounding female teachers’ subjective experiences within the educational workplace, thereby offering a holistic understanding of discrimination that integrates structural, emotional, and coping dimensions. The study underscores the urgent need for changes in institutional mindsets, organizational structures, and workplace cultures, as well as the implementation of gender-sensitive policies and practices to foster inclusive, supportive, and gender-equitable educational environments.

The journey to advanced practice and skeletal trauma reporting; an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of preparation for the role

People convicted of sexual offences are arguably one of the most marginalized criminal offender groups because both the general population and offender populations tend to have hardened views of these individuals (Spencer, 2009; Wilson & Prinzo, 2001). Circles of Support and Accountability Ottawa (CoSA-Ottawa) is an organization that helps people convicted of sexual offences reintegrate into society by challenging traditional forms of community reintegration. CoSA-Ottawa was founded on the principles of restorative justice, which are exemplified in their mottos “no more victims” and “no one is disposable.” The organization relies on the commitment and contribution of volunteers to assist with the reintegration process. While there have been various studies on CoSA from different perspectives (Duwe, 2012; Fox, 2014; Wilson, Picheca, and Prinzo, 2007; Wilson & Prinzo, 2001), there have been few studies directly focusing on CoSA-Ottawa volunteers through a critical lens. This study examines the subjective experiences of CoSA-Ottawa volunteers who work with people labeled as ‘sex offenders.’ The research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with six participants. Each interview transcript was transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The master themes that developed through this study include: the humanization of the monstrous, the reintegration and re-socialization through a helping relationship, and overall impacts of these relationships on CoSA-Ottawa volunteers. Using a governmentality and power conceptual framework, this thesis demonstrates how the relationships between the core members and volunteers are transformative and act as an extension of the carceral system. Further, this thesis illustrates that the supportive function of these relationships is explicit, while their governing function is implicit.

ABSTRACTAcquired brain injury (ABI) not only has an impact on the survivor, but also on the partner and personal relationships as a whole. The present study aimed to investigate the male partner experience of living with a female with an ABI; exploring role change, intimacy and future expectations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six male partners of five females with a subarachnoid haemorrhage and one female with a traumatic brain injury. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in depth using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four main themes captured the male partner's lived experience; “Entering the unknown world of ABI”, “Imprisoned by the ABI”, “Compassion without self-compassion”, and “Holding on to hope”. The accounts uncovered the male partner's journey following ABI; the unpredictability, sorrow, frustration, and finally acceptance and commitment to their partner. They identified the limited support available for partners following ABI; the sense of feeling forgotten by services and the need for information and support in the acute stages. Rehabilitation needs to take a systemic and longer-term focus, supporting both the survivor and their partner through the journey of ABI.

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a qualitative thematic approach developed within psychology underpinned by an idiographic philosophy, thereby focusing on the subjective lived experiences of individuals. However, it has been used in focus groups of which some have been critical because of the difficulties of extrapolating the individual voice which is more embedded within the group dynamics and the added complexity of multiple hermeneutics occurring. Some have adapted IPA for use with focus groups, while others provide scant regard to these philosophical tensions. This raises the question whether IPA should be used with focus group data. To address these concerns, this article will set out a step-by-step guide of how IPA was adapted for use with focus groups involving drug using offenders (including illustrative examples with participants’ quotes). A rationale of why it was important to use both focus groups and an IPA approach will be covered including the value, merits, and challenges this presented. An overview of how participants’ idiographic accounts of their drug use, relapse, and recovery were developed will be provided. This article will conclude with a suggested way forward to satisfy the theoretical tensions and address the question raised in the title.

The mental health struggles of university students have been the focus of a substantial amount of research worldwide. To tackle this, universities have developed initiatives to promote student wellbeing. Here, we highlight Time to Thrive (TTT), a co-designed online programme based on positive and coaching psychology and neuroscience literacy to support undergraduate students to thrive at university. This study examines the effectiveness of TTT on undergraduate student wellbeing and explores students’ subjective experiences as participants in TTT. A mixed-methods randomised controlled trial was conducted with an intervention group (n = 18) and a later access control group (n = 26) to verify the impact of TTT on psychological wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and resilience. Participants completed the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS), the Flourishing Scale (FS), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) pre-post intervention. Following programme completion, intervention group participants were interviewed about their experience with TTT (n = 5), and their reflections were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participation in TTT significantly improved psychological wellbeing in the intervention group, controlling for pre-TTT scores. Three themes were developed through IPA: the differing functions of TTT, the personal impact of TTT, and placing students who need it the most at the heart of TTT. These findings suggest that university-delivered initiatives can effectively foster undergraduates‘ wellbeing. Embedding TTT and relevant programmes within the curriculum may facilitate engagement and impact. Moreover, evidence sustaining their effectiveness may inform policy for broader application in higher education.

This study is aimed at exploring in detail men’s perceptions and lived experiences of romantic relationships. According to Relate’s (2009, 2010) statistics, in the United Kingdom there is a rise in the number of male clients who present themselves for relationship counselling. There is consequently growing interest among counselling psychologists to understand romantic relationships from a male perspective. Critical realist epistemology underpins this study and is in accord with counselling psychology - both place emphasis upon uncovering subjective truths. A review of the literature on men and romantic relationships suggests that this subject has been predominantly studied from a ‘natural science’, positivist and quantitative framework. From a critical realist position, a gap in the literature appears to be that men’s subjective experiences and personal perceptions of romantic relationships have not been fully identified and understood in their own terms. This is addressed in this study. Using a qualitative approach seven heterosexual men were interviewed. The participants were predominantly white, British, university educated and employed professionals, aged 30-39, with experience of a romantic relationship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings suggest that for these seven participants, romantic relationships were understood and experienced firstly in terms of why such relationships were established and the factors that contributed to the initial encounters. Secondly, participants identified several elements which they felt were significant in sustaining their relationships. Finally, participants noted a number of salient factors that contributed to the breakdown and/or ending of their romantic relationships. The findings that emerged from the study emphasise that this particular sample of men made sense of their romantic relationships in complex, iii specific, and varied ways. The implication of this for practice is that it reminds counselling psychologists that their engagement with clients should be collaborative, whilst emphasising and respecting their subjective experiences, feelings and meanings in their own terms – fundamental components of counselling psychology philosophy. The intricate, subjective and diverse ways in which the participants made sense of their romantic relationships have provided new and richer insights into this area and make a distinctive contribution to counselling psychology and relationship theory.