| The purpose of this exploratory study was to generate a substantive theory regarding illness management among Chinese immigrants living with arthritis. Purposive sampling was used to select 19 Chinese immigrants for in-depth interviews. This information was supplemented by data collected from 7 participants in mainland China.; The data were analyzed according to the following steps (1) transcribing interview materials, (2) developing codes, categories and themes, and (3) theoretical coding.; The results of this study describe factors which directly/indirectly impacted on illness management strategies. The illness management usually started with using self-care remedies, followed by consulting Western physicians, consulting Chinese doctors, and then returning to Western medicine. Factors directly impacting on illness management strategies are: arthritic symptoms, beliefs about Western/Chinese medicine based on treatment experience, barriers to using Western/Chinese medicine, and external factors. Factors indirectly impacting on illness management strategies are: beliefs about Western/Chinese medicine, beliefs about combining Western and Chinese medicine, and beliefs about arthritis. |
