Utilizing Eastern Spirituality in Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Study of Chinese Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Drawing on the empirical findings of a qualitative study on Chinese women with breast cancer, this article presents the women's experience of spirituality and discusses the implications of culturally competent practice that addresses spirituality. Following the constructivist research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 Chinese women with breast cancer. The findings reveal their spirituality is manifested through (1) experiencing a spiritual shock, (2) making meaning, (3) achieving connectedness, and (4) attaining transcendence. The Eastern cultural teachings of embracing suffering, letting go and living in the moment, and meditative practice have important implications for social work practice. Culturally competent practice requires social workers to appreciate the diverse ways that clients use spiritual resources and reflect on how our own spirituality may affect intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• spirituality
• Eastern
• Chinese
• meaning
• connectedness
• transcendence
• cancer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was funded by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. HKU 7212/03H) and a research grant from the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

Notes

1 Tien literally means Heaven. To most Chinese, Tien is the supreme power that governs the world.

2 Mindfulness practice is derived from Buddhism. It is nonjudgmental observation, the ability of the mind to observe without criticism. It is also referred to as the moment-to-moment awareness of one's experience; that is, to stay in the here and now, and to attend deeply to everything that happens in the present moment, whether it is desire, thoughts, affects, or memories, but not to pursue or reject them (Gunaratana, 1991; Nhat Hanh, 1995; Ramaswami & Sheikh, 1989).

3 Qigong is an exercise originating in ancient China. It combines motion with breathing and mind regulation. There are different forms of qigong, and all are believed to promote physical, mental, and even spiritual well-being (Tsuei, 1992).