TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the Social Needs and Challenges of Chinese American Immigrant Breast Cancer Survivors
T2 - a Qualitative Study Using an Expressive Writing Approach
AU - Warmoth, Krystal
AU - Cheung, Bernice
AU - You, Jin
AU - Yeung, Nelson C.Y.
AU - Lu, Qian
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the American Cancer Society MRSGT-10-011-01-CPPB (PI: Qian Lu). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This study was supported by the American Cancer Society MRSGT-10-011-01-CPPB (PI: Qian Lu).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, International Society of Behavioral Medicine.
PY - 2017/12/1
Y1 - 2017/12/1
N2 - Purpose: Little is known about the psychological well-being and social barriers among immigrant Chinese American breast cancer survivors. The aim of the present study was to explore the social needs and challenges of Chinese American immigrant breast cancer survivors. Method: This study used the expressive writing approach to explore the experiences among 27 Chinese American breast cancer survivors. The participants were recruited through community-based organizations in Southern California, most of whom were diagnosed at stages I and II (33 and 48%, respectively). Participants, on average, had been living in the USA for 19 years. Participants were asked to write three 20-min essays related to their experience with breast cancer (in 3 weeks). Participants’ writings were coded with line-by-line analysis, and categories and themes were generated. Results: Emotion suppression, self-stigma, and perceived stigma about being a breast cancer survivor were reflected in the writings. Interpersonally, participants indicated their reluctance to disclose cancer diagnosis to family and friends and concerns about fulfilling multiple roles. Some of them also mentioned barriers of communicating with their husbands. Related to life in the USA, participants felt unfamiliar with the healthcare system and encountered language barriers. Conclusion: Counseling services addressing concerns about stigma and communication among family members may benefit patients’ adjustments. Tailor-made information in Chinese about diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer and health insurance in the USA may also help patients go through the course of recovery.
AB - Purpose: Little is known about the psychological well-being and social barriers among immigrant Chinese American breast cancer survivors. The aim of the present study was to explore the social needs and challenges of Chinese American immigrant breast cancer survivors. Method: This study used the expressive writing approach to explore the experiences among 27 Chinese American breast cancer survivors. The participants were recruited through community-based organizations in Southern California, most of whom were diagnosed at stages I and II (33 and 48%, respectively). Participants, on average, had been living in the USA for 19 years. Participants were asked to write three 20-min essays related to their experience with breast cancer (in 3 weeks). Participants’ writings were coded with line-by-line analysis, and categories and themes were generated. Results: Emotion suppression, self-stigma, and perceived stigma about being a breast cancer survivor were reflected in the writings. Interpersonally, participants indicated their reluctance to disclose cancer diagnosis to family and friends and concerns about fulfilling multiple roles. Some of them also mentioned barriers of communicating with their husbands. Related to life in the USA, participants felt unfamiliar with the healthcare system and encountered language barriers. Conclusion: Counseling services addressing concerns about stigma and communication among family members may benefit patients’ adjustments. Tailor-made information in Chinese about diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer and health insurance in the USA may also help patients go through the course of recovery.
KW - Disclosure
KW - Social support
KW - Sociocultural
KW - Stigma
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U2 - 10.1007/s12529-017-9661-4
DO - 10.1007/s12529-017-9661-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 28585073
AN - SCOPUS:85020190224
SN - 1070-5503
VL - 24
SP - 827
EP - 835
JO - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
JF - International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
IS - 6
ER -