Document Detail


'Screwed for life': examining identification and division in addiction narratives.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17714040     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In this study, we investigate the use of narrative in online conversations among persons suffering from chronic opiate addiction and evaluate both its positive and negative uses. Illness narratives, as argued by sociologist Arthur Frank and psychiatrist/medical anthropologist Arthur Kleinman, enable patients to give order to life experiences and receive support from others. We wished to explore under what circumstances online support coalesces and breaks apart. The narratives we examined exemplify two topics frequently discussed on the message board: the recovery process and what it means to be 'clean'. To better understand these narratives from a theoretically based approach, we used the work of rhetorical theorist Kenneth Burke. Burke's description of two human motives, suffering and perfection, led us to an understanding of how unification and division happened within the online community. We found that the recovery narrative primarily embodied the author's suffering and, consequently, received support from other members of the message board. The second narrative centered on what it means to be 'clean' through a discussion of the author's desire to court temptation, revealing what Burke calls the rotten nature of perfection. As a result, the author of the narrative provoked disagreements and did not receive support.
Authors:
Denise Jodlowski; Barbara F Sharf; Loralee Capistrano Nguyen; Paul Haidet; Lechauncy D Woodard
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Communication & medicine     Volume:  4     ISSN:  1612-1783     ISO Abbreviation:  Commun Med     Publication Date:  2007  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-08-23     Completed Date:  2007-09-21     Revised Date:  2007-12-03    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101201068     Medline TA:  Commun Med     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  15-26     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Texas A&M University, TX 77843-4234, USA. djodlowski@tamu.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Female
Humans
Internet*
Male
Narration
Opioid-Related Disorders / psychology*,  rehabilitation*
Self-Help Groups*
Social Identification*
Social Support*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
3 P01 HS10876-05S1/HS/AHRQ HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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