An Experience Sample Method (ESM) study of self-stigma, social safeness, and anomalous experiences in daily life | C4C

Many people describe having anomalous (‘unusual’) experiences, such as out-of-the-ordinary perceptions, hearing voices, or spiritual-type experiences that are somehow different to everyday life. This study is interested in investigating some of the social factors that influence these experiences, both in individuals in the general population who are not distressed by their experiences, and in those who have a psychotic disorder diagnosis. Identifying predictive and protective social factors can inform the approach of clinical services for people with anomalous experiences who are diagnosed with psychotic conditions. The variables of interest will be assessed as participants go about their daily life. For six consecutive days, participants will carry a smartphone with the ESM application installed. The device will be programmed to beep ten times per day to alert the participant to complete a short questionnaire about what is happening ‘right now’.