Faculty of Nursing, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand.
Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2019 Aug;28(4):879-887. doi: 10.1111/inm.12587. Epub 2019 Mar 7.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of acceptance (Thum-jai) as a culturally embedded coping strategy in the lives of Thai people who have experienced adversity that caused suffering. Thematic analysis was used to examine the responses of 47 participants to written, open-ended questions or face-to-face interviews. The EQUATOR's COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed. Participants came from diverse religious' traditions and geographic regions throughout Thailand. Findings revealed seven themes: circumstance and emotion; thought and action; time, experience, and effort; social and moral support; religious and spiritual ethos; acceptance and hope; and survive and thrive. The adverse circumstance is central to the concept of acceptance. Before acceptance, there is often hope; yet Thai people reach an existential point whether to accept the reality of the situation or continue in distress. Purposeful approaches to deal with the event flow from the cultural contexts of spirituality and social support. Drawing upon psychological strength, Thai people undertake purposive thought and action to facilitate redirecting their lives for better mental health. Thum-jai brings release and peace of mind. Clinicians may find that people experiencing adverse life events are best served by nondirective approaches. Acceptance and change in thoughts and behaviours may come from meditation and therapeutic mindfulness practices that allow those in Western and non-Western cultures to use their own values, expressions, and societal expectations to cope with suffering and formulate effective decisions.
本定性研究的目的是探索在经历苦难逆境的泰国人生活中，作为一种文化嵌入的应对策略的接纳（泰语：“Thum-jai”）的意义。采用主题分析方法，对来自泰国各地不同宗教传统和地理区域的 47 名参与者对书面开放式问题或面对面访谈的回答进行了检查。本研究遵循了定性研究的 EQUATOR 的 COREQ 清单。研究对象来自泰国各地不同的宗教传统和地理区域。研究结果揭示了七个主题：环境和情绪；思想和行动；时间、经验和努力；社会和道德支持；宗教和精神风气；接纳和希望；生存和茁壮成长。逆境是接纳概念的核心。在接纳之前，往往会抱有希望；然而，泰国人会到达一个存在的临界点，要么接受现实，要么继续痛苦。有目的的应对方式源于精神和社会支持的文化背景。泰国人利用心理力量，采取有目的的思想和行动，为改善心理健康重新引导生活。接纳（“Thum-jai”）带来解脱和平静的心态。临床医生可能会发现，经历生活逆境的人最好采用非指导方法。思想和行为的接纳和改变可能来自冥想和治疗性正念练习，这些方法使西方和非西方文化的人能够利用自己的价值观、表达方式和社会期望来应对苦难并做出有效决策。
