Defense Date
5-3-2024
Graduation Date
Fall 12-20-2024
Availability
One-year Embargo
Submission Type
dissertation
Degree Name
PhD
Department
Clinical Psychology
School
McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
Committee Chair
Alexander Kranjec
Committee Member
Elizabeth Pienkos
Committee Member
Melissa Kalarchian
Keywords
phenomenological psychopathology, self-disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, psychosis, methodology, phenomenology
Abstract
The self-disorder model provides a phenomenological framework for understanding how the core symptoms of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) are rooted in an instability of minimal selfhood. This instability involves a range of ‘anomalous experiences’: transformations in an individual’s perceptual field and sense of being an agent of action. The explanatory value of this theoretical model can be summarized in two claims about the role of anomalous experiences in self-disorders: (1) anomalous experiences express a common trait-like disturbance that is characteristic of SSDs, and (2) anomalous experiences contribute to the progression of self-disorders into SSDs. Although hypotheses consistent with the first claim have been substantiated in several studies, hypotheses consistent with the second claim remain underexamined. This dissertation attempts to address this gap by means of a methodological and empirical contribution. The methodological contribution of this dissertation involves considering the core theoretical claims of the self-disorder model and the methodological strategies appropriate for investigating the role of anomalous experiences in the symptoms of SSDs. In doing so, a case is made for the application of a network approach to self-disorders research. Moreover, the potential of micro-longitudinal designs for such network approach, by means of Experience Sampling Method (ESM), is also highlighted. The empirical contribution of this dissertation involves a pilot study (n=7) that aimed to observe potential issues that might arise when adapting ESM, and self-reports, to collect real-time data on those anomalous experiences thought to be operative in delusional experiences in SSDs. Implications of this pilot study for future research on self-disorders are also discussed.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Brar, P. (2024). Investigating anomalous experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/2409
Additional Citations
Brar, P. S., Pienkos, E., Porto, A., Wood, H. J., Sarpal, D., Kalarchian, M. A., Schreiber, J. B., & Kranjec, A. (2024). Methods and models for investigating anomalous experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Philosophical Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2024.2305232