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Abstract

Miscarriage is a deeply stigmatized and emotionally complex experience, often leaving individuals feeling isolated and unsupported. Increasingly, people turn to online communities for connection and assistance after miscarriage, and this has been the focus of research for a while. However, little is known about how they seek support in the presence of anonymity. This study examines the strategies people use to seek social support in the r/Miscarriage subreddit, addressing a gap in both health and communication scholarship. While previous research has shown that individuals use online platforms following miscarriage to seek information, share experiences, and seek emotional validation, this study demonstrates how semi-anonymity shapes support-seeking communication. Specifically, it reveals that Reddit enables the disclosure of morally complex and socially difficult-to-share experiences, including jealousy, resentment, self-blame, loss of faith, and narratives of unmet support.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

58

Issue

1

First Page

261

Last Page

285

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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