Narrating and Navigating through Miscarriage, Stigma, and Identity Changes

Abstract

Miscarriage is a frequent experience among women, yet relatively little research has addressed its attendant changes in women’s identities or threats of stigma. The researchers gathered miscarriage narratives through interviews with twenty-four women and analyzed the stories’ depictions of changes in (and challenges to) identity. Findings partially support extant research on illness, identity changes, and stigma.

Keywords:

• Miscarriage
• narrative
• identity
• stigma

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Fairchild

Jennifer Fairchild (Ph.D., University of Kentucky) is a Professor of Communication at Eastern Kentucky University. Her research examines women’s experiences of social support and narrative reconstruction in the aftermath of miscarriage.

Michael Irvin Arrington

Michael Irvin Arrington (Ph.D, University of South Florida) is an Associate Professor in Communication Studies at Sam Houston State University. His research interests include social support, stigma, uncertainty management, and illness narratives.