Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health
Language surrounding mental health has been utilised to mechanise and normalise stigma. Associated connotations of prejudice can deter individuals from accessing critical support. There are few studies investigating use of language within clinical contexts. This paper investigates implications of la...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sciendo
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Psychology of Language and Communication |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2025-0009 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849243021758955520 |
|---|---|
| author | Colbert Elizabeth Jane Powell Lauren |
| author_facet | Colbert Elizabeth Jane Powell Lauren |
| author_sort | Colbert Elizabeth Jane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Language surrounding mental health has been utilised to mechanise and normalise stigma. Associated connotations of prejudice can deter individuals from accessing critical support. There are few studies investigating use of language within clinical contexts. This paper investigates implications of language used during provider-patient interactions in shaping patients’ understandings of their mental health. Semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with ten university students with previously obtained mental health diagnoses or treatment. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified three core themes: impact of navigating complex language and services on diagnostic experiences; a lack of person centred care as dehumanising; existing prejudices of the individual and others impact experiences of ill mental health. Results suggested clinical language can be emotive, acting as either a barrier or enabler to sense making of mental health diagnoses. This research can translate to operational language use guidelines in clinical settings, ultimately contributing to patient well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69682d977e9b4aa19c1f5c4e274fe2fe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2083-8506 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Psychology of Language and Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-69682d977e9b4aa19c1f5c4e274fe2fe2025-08-20T03:59:39ZengSciendoPsychology of Language and Communication2083-85062025-01-0129119922410.58734/plc-2025-0009Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental HealthColbert Elizabeth Jane0Powell Lauren11School of Education, The University of Sheffield1School of Education, The University of SheffieldLanguage surrounding mental health has been utilised to mechanise and normalise stigma. Associated connotations of prejudice can deter individuals from accessing critical support. There are few studies investigating use of language within clinical contexts. This paper investigates implications of language used during provider-patient interactions in shaping patients’ understandings of their mental health. Semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with ten university students with previously obtained mental health diagnoses or treatment. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified three core themes: impact of navigating complex language and services on diagnostic experiences; a lack of person centred care as dehumanising; existing prejudices of the individual and others impact experiences of ill mental health. Results suggested clinical language can be emotive, acting as either a barrier or enabler to sense making of mental health diagnoses. This research can translate to operational language use guidelines in clinical settings, ultimately contributing to patient well-being.https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2025-0009stigmacommunicationlanguagemental health literacyprovider-patient |
| spellingShingle | Colbert Elizabeth Jane Powell Lauren Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health Psychology of Language and Communication stigma communication language mental health literacy provider-patient |
| title | Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health |
| title_full | Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health |
| title_fullStr | Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health |
| title_short | Why Language Matters: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Implications of Language Used During Provider-Patient Interactions on University Students’ Perceptions and Understandings of Their Own Mental Health |
| title_sort | why language matters a qualitative inquiry into the implications of language used during provider patient interactions on university students perceptions and understandings of their own mental health |
| topic | stigma communication language mental health literacy provider-patient |
| url | https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2025-0009 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT colbertelizabethjane whylanguagemattersaqualitativeinquiryintotheimplicationsoflanguageusedduringproviderpatientinteractionsonuniversitystudentsperceptionsandunderstandingsoftheirownmentalhealth AT powelllauren whylanguagemattersaqualitativeinquiryintotheimplicationsoflanguageusedduringproviderpatientinteractionsonuniversitystudentsperceptionsandunderstandingsoftheirownmentalhealth |