Training naive subjects in using micro‐phenomenological self‐inquiry to investigate pain and suffering during headaches

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21392056
AutoresTerje Sparby (0000-0001-5721-0066, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy University of Witten/Herdecke Witten Germany, autor de correspondencia), Mira Leass (Department of Medicine Witten/Herdecke University Witten Germany), Ulrich Weger (0000-0002-5476-0932, Witten/Herdecke University), Ulrich W Weger (0000-0001-6803-6155, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy University of Witten/Herdecke Witten Germany), Friedrich Edelhäuser (0000-0001-7900-188X, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy Integrated Curriculum for Anthroposophic Psychology (ICURAP) University of Witten/Herdecke Witten Germany)
Año2023
Volumen64
Número1
Páginas60-70
Fecha de publicación2023-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaScandinavian Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0036-5564 • E-ISSN: 1467-9450
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjop.12858
PMID35816030
OpenAlexW4285031043
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas16

Micro‐phenomenology is a method that generates rich and reliable reports of singular experiences in their pre‐reflective dimension. Usually it is employed using a second‐person interviewer. In this study we attempted to train naïve subjects in using self‐inquiry version of the method. 13 subjects met twice over the course of one week, investigating their experiences of headaches, looking specifically into the pain experience itself, the experience of suffering, and the experience of absence of suffering. The analysis showed that the subject reports increase the richness of description, measured by the increase in the amount of categories described and the number of words needed to give an on target description. The analysis, informed by the participant’s ideas, showed that it was possible to distinguish the experience of pain from the experience of suffering. We compare the analysis to other phenomenological studies of headaches. This reveals the strength and weakness of the micro‐phenomenological method: By de‐focusing on contextual factors it enables in‐depth descriptions of singular moments of experience, but the bracketing of interpretations may result in overlooking overarching meaning dimensions. We conclude that micro‐phenomenological self‐inquiry may potentially be employed successfully in a clinical setting with initially untrained subjects for describing certain kinds of experiences and answering complex phenomenological questions

Cognitive psychology · Epistemology · Headaches · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Phenomenological method · Phenomenology (philosophy) · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Empathy and Medical Education · Pain Management and Placebo Effect · Psychology · Social Psychology