Drinking behaviors: the life narratives of indigenous Bunun women in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol intoxication is a serious health issue among Taiwan's indigenous Malayo-Polynesian groups. No published studies address the drinking perceptions and behaviors of Bunun women.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the drinking perceptions and behaviors of Bunun women in Taiwan.

METHODS

This study used an ethnographic approach to study the residents of one township located in eastern Taiwan. Researchers used semistructured, in-depth interviews to collect data from 10 Bunun women in 2006.

RESULTS

Researchers identified six key culture themes from the data. These were (a) drinking to help make friends, (b) drinking to help solve emotional problems, (c) interpreting the meaning of drinking, (d) hurting the body due to alcohol abuse, (e) decreasing the bond of convention for drinking, and (f) establishing mechanisms to control drinking. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The results of this study may help one to understand the alcohol use behavior and attitudes of indigenous women in Taiwan and contribute to better cross-cultural nursing clinical practice. This study is expected to enhance the quality of nursing care provided to Taiwan's indigenous people.