Building a grounded theory of engagement in mindfulness-based group therapy for distressing voices

Mindfulness based group therapy shows promise as a treatment for distressing voice-hearing. However, fostering engagement in groups can be challenging, and no theory of engagement in group therapy for distressing voices exists to guide practice or research.

This study employed Grounded Theory Method to build a theory of engagement in mindfulness based groups for distressing voices. Ten service-users and three therapists were interviewed about their experiences of such groups. The model that emerged involves a recursive process of investing in change and continually evaluating its usefulness and safety. Barriers to engagement were often overcome, but sometimes compromised perceived safety, leading to dropout. For others, group participation led to rewards, some of which were integrated beyond group termination. Group engagement can be encouraged by establishing universality around voice-hearing early, reducing uncertainty, sharing difficulties with mindfulness practices and mapping group progress to create a cohering sense of collaboration on therapy tasks.