Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Communication

Committee Chair

Joy Goldsmith

Committee Member

David Mathews

Committee Member

Katherine Hendrix

Committee Member

Kathryn Hicks

Abstract

Previous data suggest that maternal mortality is an issue drastically affecting African-Descent women since the maternal mortality rate was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for European-Descent women. Considering the data, my study aimed to showcase, beyond the statistics, the communication exchanges and lived experiences surrounding maternal mortality discourse among African-Descent women in Shelby County, Tennessee. This study was one of the first of its kind to capture data, in Shelby County, TN, which led me to develop these research questions: RQ1) What are the personal communication experiences of African-Descent women regarding prenatal, labor, and antenatal threats in their trusted communities? RQ2) What are their lived experiences with provider and patient communication exchanges surrounding prenatal, labor, and antenatal threats? RQ3) What are the personal communication experiences of African-Descent women specific to birth interventions and the reduction of maternal mortality? In order to understand this phenomenon, I offered a necessary discussion defining and explaining the systems of oppression, such as colonialism, White supremacy, patriarchy, racism, etc., that contribute to telling the story of the historic oppression that has and still is impacting the African-Descent populations, leading to maternal mortality health disparities. My study was approved by the University of Memphis IRB board, and in December 2023, I began my data collection. I conducted a two-phase study with focus groups and semi-structured interviews to center and amplify participant experiences. I chose to use the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis 7-step process to analyze my data. My theories were Critical Cultural Theory, Symbolic Convergence Theory, and Critical Narrative Analysis. My results revealed 12 overarching themes, 6 from each phase of my study. My sample size was 16, and a member check was completed. African-Descent women want their providers to take them seriously, to listen to them, to honor them, and to show up for them with support and affirmation. To do this authentically, it may mean providers having some difficult conversations about systems of oppression. For actual change to occur, providers must reflect, acknowledge, and resist some behaviors that unintentionally or not contribute to the problem.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open access

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