The role of multilingualism in the psycholinguistic functioning of multilingual individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders

This is an exploratory study of the psycholinguistic functioning of multilingual individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Most research on psychotic speech rests on the implicit assumption that the speaker is monolingual; few studies have addressed the psycholinguistic functioning of individuals with psychotic disorders who are multilingual. The unique contribution of this study is that it employs a qualitative methodology (multiple case study design), which allows the research participants to articulate their subjective experiences as well as share their own understandings of the phenomena in question. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge, this approach is believed to have the potential to empower the participants.;The study was conceived at the cusp of clinical psychology and the various disciplines concerned with multilingualism, including psycho- and socio-linguistics and psychoanalysis. The author takes an interdisciplinary standpoint, integrating theories and empirical findings from these various disciplines to create a theoretical framework for interpreting the findings.;Five adult participants who were fluent in at least two languages and who had been diagnosed with a chronic psychotic disorder (Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorders) were interviewed. Three of the interviews were then subjected to content analysis, following Yin's (1989) guidelines for analyzing the data in multiple case study research. This method emphasizes in-depth exploration of the unique characteristics of each case. Individual case studies were followed by a cross-case analysis.;The participants demonstrated a tendency for linguistic regression (loss of the ability to communicate in nonprimary languages) when in acute psychotic states and for ascribing desirable qualities to one's nonprimary languages---a phenomenon termed by the researcher idealization of the "other" language. In addition, all the participants used their multilingual competences as means of self-regulation and/or coping with their psychotic symptoms and some additionally used them as means of self-assertion. Multilingualism was associated with confusion and disorientation for only one participant, who had grown up in a monolingual environment and was not accustomed to thinking or interacting in mixed codes. The immigrant participants experienced their primary languages as conducive to intimacy.