You Are Here: Narrative Construction of Identity and Community Resilience in Newfoundland during and after 9/11

ABSTRACT

This study seeks to expand the use of quantum storytelling lens in qualitative research. Guided by this approach, we analyzed interviews with 32 individuals connected with the events of 9/11 in Newfoundland in three groups examining long-term narrative construction of resilience after a disrupting event and the idea that communication and construction of a resilience narrative can function as a larger community identity. This analysis revealed that participants not only use these narratives to shape their current lives but to narrate themselves and the community as resilient and generous. The findings also suggested theoretical implications that suggest we can broaden the definitions of both community and resilience and that these two are narratively constructed.

KEYWORDS:

• Narrative
• resilience
• communication theory of resilience
• identity
• storytelling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laine Zizka

Laine Zizka (M.S. Texas Christian University) is a Ph.D. student at The University of Colorado, Boulder specializing in organizational and crisis communication and the intersection of identity and narrative. Laine also has a B.S. in Communication, a B.A. in Anthropology from Texas Christian University. She currently serves as the editorial assistant for Management Communication Quarterly.

Amorette Hinderaker

Amorette Hinderaker (M.A. and Ph.D., North Dakota State University) is an Associate Professor and the Convener of Debates in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University. Her research focuses on organizational member narratives, organizational exit, resistance, and identity management. She also directs and coaches the TCU Speech and Debate Team and is the current President-Elect of Pi Kappa Delta.