No abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore dimensions of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the population of mainland China and to find out the factors facilitating positive change. Ten patients with severe burn injuries were recruited from a metropolitan hospital in Shanghai. Sampling was purposive; qualitative phenomenological methodology was used to depict the main theme, the data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions. A reflective diary was also kept. The findings are presented under two thematic headings: "process of PTG" and "presentation of PTG." Results indicate that there are commonalities between the Chinese sample and Tedeschi and Calhoun's (Psychol Inq 2004;15:1-18) model of the process and outcomes of PTG. There are some differences; specifically, "for the significant others" is an important facet in the process of PTG; also there is no clear growth of a spiritual or a religious aspect.

The aim of this study was to describe the differences in coping strategies that affected psychological and physical rehabilitation in Chinese burn patients. Eight burn survivors with TBSA more than 30% or full-thickness area more than 10% had been interviewed. In depth, information on the strategies used to address physiological and psychological damage was collected on these patients. We found that optimistic personality, positive coping styles, and social support played very important roles. Coping techniques aimed at passing time were frequently used, whereas religious coping was seldom used. The availability of a mentor was beneficial to the patients. Therefore, instruction on coping techniques such as searching for a mentor and promoting recreation should be approached by health professionals in burn care units and taught to burn patients.

This purpose of the study was to construct a model (theory) to understand Chinese women’s adjustment process in living with breast cancer. A constructivist grounded theory method was adopted in this study. A total of 24 women were recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were undertaken in Chinese and transcribed. Initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding approaches were used to identify subcategories and categories, and to construct the emergent theory. The basic social process these women used to deal with the breast cancer diagnosis was identified as: Emerging from the ‘ku’: Fluctuating in adjusting with breast cancer. Four categories were revealed following analysis: confronting challenges, orienting to reality, accommodating the illness, and transforming their lives, which encapsulated the main cognitive and emotional processes in which Chinese women engaged in their adjustment to living with their illness. The core process was influenced by a variety of contextual influences, which were identified as personal factors, social-environmental factors, and some specific cultural factors which emphasized positive changes. Chinese cultural values such as “Wuwei” coping strategies, familial primacy, and Chinese self-disclosure contribute to Chinese women’s adjustment processes and post-traumatic growth experiences. Hence, there is a need to consider Chinese cultural features, in designing culturally tailored supportive programs in multi-cultural clinical settings.