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Abstract

Stigma surrounding non-native American accents in the United States adversely influences the health-related decisions and behaviors of those who speak with such accents. Grounded in stigma management communication theory (SMCT), this study explored how individuals with non-native American accents communicatively manage accent stigma experiences in healthcare situations in the United States through ten semi-structured interviews. SMCT’s strategies of accepting, avoiding, ignoring, evading responsibility, and denying were identified by participants as the management strategies employed when they face stigmatization. The findings suggest that stereotype threat and patients’ stigma management strategies are important phenomena that can impact the healthcare outcome of patients with non-native American accents. The results indicate that individuals with non-native American accents also face stigma associated with their accent in healthcare settings, and that participants are likely to endure and avoid concealment of the stigma because they are left with no choice. This study is one of the first studies that applies SMCT specifically to investigate how people with accents navigate the healthcare setting as they experience stigma.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

57

Issue

1

First Page

235

Last Page

256

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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