"We Weren't Raised that Way": Using Stigma Management Communication Theory to Understand How Families Manage the Stigma of Substance Abuse.

While people who abuse substances experience widespread health and social consequences stemming from their substance use, these consequences also extend to their family through stigmatization. Such stigma has implications for families' mental and physical health, as well as their overall quality of life. This study seeks to fill a gap in research surrounding the stigma experienced by families with a history of substance abuse by investigating how affected family members experience and communicatively manage stigma messages relating to their family member's substance abuse. Fifteen people whose families include a person who uses substances (PWUS) participated in semi-structured interviews where they were prompted to discuss how they experience and respond to this stigma. An iterative approach to data analysis revealed four overarching themes: (a) stigma experiences, (b) accept application of stigma to self/PWUS and accept public perception of stigma, (c) accept application stigma to self/PWUS but challenge public perception of stigma, and (d) challenge public perception of stigma and challenge application of stigma to self/PWUS. Findings from this study can extend our understanding of stigma management communication and inform practical interventions that target families dealing with substance use issues.

Informational Sources, Social Media Use, and Race in Flint, Michigan's Water Crisis.

Safe, clean water is necessary for health and wellbeing. Water issues affect minority and vulnerable populations at disproportionate rates, including the poor and racial and ethnic minorities. An investigation of the relationships of race, social media use, and informational sources during the municipal water crisis in Flint, Michigan reflects an instrumental view of communication and uses and gratifications theory in this study. Data from 208 Flint residents in 2016 indicated that African American respondents favored interpersonal networks and resources and were more likely than other racial groups to obtain current information about the water crisis via Instagram. Preferred channels and sources to receive additional crisis information varied on the basis of race.