Narrative Features, Forms, and Functions

This chapter synthesizes scholarship on health-related narrative theorizing and practice. Narratives serve important purposes from fostering well-being to humanizing healthcare and catalyzing change. To begin, we outline basic features and forms of narrative activity. We then turn our attention to the functions of storytelling. In and through storytelling, individuals confront their own and others’ suffering and refashion priorities, organize and enact care, unsettle stagnant scripts, and mobilize resources for collective action. Looking forward, we challenge narrative scholars to decenter storytelling practices that privilege Whiteness, heteronormativity, and ableism in an effort to foster inclusive and accessible care. Moves in these directions can set the stage for learning from diverse individuals, working toward systemic change, and enriching individuals’ lives.