There are numerous calls for valuing and incorporating the lived experience of (former) patients into how psychiatry conceptualizes, studies, and treats mental disorders. However, the concept on which such expertise-by-experience hinges, i.e., “experiential knowledge,” lacks a solid theoretical foundation. In this project, we explore whether conceptual tools provided by the complexity approach to mental disorders could help form a theoretical foundation for experiential knowledge, and if so, how this might benefit the practice of expertise-by-experience. This project will combine philosophical and empirical research by supplementing conceptual analysis with a focus group of experts-by-experience and complexity scientists.
Experiential knowledge and complexity
Experiential knowledge plays an increasing role in mental healthcare, yet is often seen as unclear and vague. This project explores whether we can clarify experiential knowledge in terms of complexity.
- Duration
- September 2025 until May 2026
- Project member(s)
- Dr R.P.J.M. Dings (Roy)
- Project type
- Research
Funding
NWO Open Competitie XS (406.XS.25.02.066)
Contact information
Do you want more information, or do you have any questions? Please contact Roy Dings.