Configurations of self-identity formations of adults who stutter

Kathard, Harsha; Norman, Vivienne; Pillay, Mershen

Configurations of self-identity formations of adults who stutter

Journal Article

2010

Journal Title

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

Link to Journal

http://www.sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

The aims of this paper are twofold: Firstly, to describe the configuration of self-identity formations evident across and within research stories of adults living with stuttering; and secondly, to discuss the clinical implications of these findings. The study on which this paper is based used life history narratives to describe the types, processes and configurations of self-identity formations of adults who stuttered since childhood. Through open-ended, in-depth interviews 7 participants shared their experiences of living with stuttering. The interviews were analysed at a first level using narrative analysis and at a second level to further describe the types, processes and configurations of self-identity formations evident in the stories. The findings on configurations of self-identity formations were that the two types of self-identity formations Able and DisOther were present in singular and dual configurations. The dual self-identity formations occurred in co-existing, competing and coalescing relationships within particular time periods in their stories. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.