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The Social Meanings of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Elderly Chinese Immigrants’ Health Practice in the United States

Abstract  

We situate elderly Chinese immigrants’ utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in social contexts (e.g., family
and social networks), exploring how TCM is used as a tool, a resource, and a product of meaning-construction in their everyday
life. We conducted in in-depth interviews with 20 elderly Chinese immigrants in the United State, exploring the complexity
of their understanding and practice of TCM. We used grounded theory to identify the set of meanings that are particular to
elderly Chinese immigrants’ use of TCM as a part of their health practice. For our participants, TCM is not just a resource
for illness management. Instead, incorporating TCM in their health practice allows them to: (a) perform and reaffirm their
cultural identity as Chinese, (b) maintain their moral status and fulfill their social roles, and (c) pass down health knowledge
and cultural heritage. Clinical implications were discussed.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-9
  • DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9558-2
  • Authors
    • Haiying Kong, School of Communications, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, USA
    • Elaine Hsieh, Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, 610 Elm Ave. #101, Norman, OK, USA
    • Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
    • Online ISSN 1557-1920
    • Print ISSN 1557-1912
Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 12/12/2011 | Link to this post on IFP |
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