Zhao Tuan, Ma Yajing, Hu Shouzi, Chen Lishan, Lai Agnes Yuen-Kwan, Ma Haixia
Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
School of Public Policy and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China.
Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Jul 9;12:100754. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2025.100754. eCollection 2025 Dec.
Gratitude has been demonstrated to be crucial for cancer patients' overall well-being and coping. However, the existing evidence on this topic is primarily from Western settings. This study aimed to explore how patients with advanced cancer in China perceive and experience gratitude.
This descriptive phenomenological study involved semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews with 15 patients with advanced cancer conducted by a research nurse in a tertiary-level hospital in Shanghai, China. Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method was used to analyze the data. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital.
Four key themes emerged from the data: 1) The development of profound gratitude after cancer; 2) Gratitude deepened in shared struggles; 3) Gratitude that speaks without words; 4) The limits of gratitude.
This qualitative study provided valuable insights into the conceptualization and experience of gratitude among Chinese patients with advanced cancer. It revealed that a cancer diagnosis shifted patients' priorities and values, and that cultural context shaped their expressions of gratitude. Despite their resilience, balancing gratitude with feelings of indebtedness highlighted the psychological burdens these patients face. It underscores the need for culturally sensitive nursing approaches and tailored interventions to enhance their well-being and coping strategies.
感恩已被证明对癌症患者的整体幸福感和应对能力至关重要。然而，关于这一主题的现有证据主要来自西方背景。本研究旨在探讨中国晚期癌症患者如何感知和体验感恩。
本描述性现象学研究包括在中国上海一家三级医院，由一名研究护士对15名晚期癌症患者进行半结构化的面对面个体访谈。采用科莱齐的七步现象学方法对数据进行分析。研究获得了医院的伦理批准。
数据中出现了四个关键主题：1）癌症后产生深刻的感恩之情；2）在共同的斗争中感恩之情加深；3）无需言语表达的感恩；4）感恩的局限性。
这项定性研究为中国晚期癌症患者感恩的概念化和体验提供了有价值的见解。研究表明，癌症诊断改变了患者的优先事项和价值观，文化背景塑造了他们的感恩表达方式。尽管他们有恢复力，但在感恩与亏欠感之间取得平衡凸显了这些患者面临的心理负担。这强调了需要采用具有文化敏感性的护理方法和量身定制的干预措施，以提高他们的幸福感和应对策略。
