Posttraumatic Coping and Distress: An Evaluation of Western Conceptualization of Trauma and Its Applicability to Chinese Culture. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Ping; Gray, Matt J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cross-cultural psychology. Volume 46:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 723
• Page End: 736
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: posttraumatic stress disorder -- coping strategies -- trauma -- cross-cultural research -- Taoism -- Confucianism -- Buddhism; Ethnopsychology -- Periodicals; 155.805
• DOI: 10.1177/0022022115580848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0221

Abstract

The current body of knowledge related to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily based on research conducted in Western nations. Thus, Western clinicians and researchers may know little about whether people from non-Western societies have similar reactions or symptom manifestations to specific traumatic events. Traditional Chinese health beliefs with their roots in Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism influence illness perception and affect coping behaviors of Chinese exposed to traumatic events. This article discusses compatible and incompatible aspects of the traditional Chinese health beliefs with Western beliefs about PTSD and examines how culture-based motivations may possibly impact emotional responses to traumatic events between American and Chinese cultures. This article also reviews the literature on the prevalence and applications of Western diagnostic criteria and measures of PTSD in contemporary Chinese populations and proposes suggestions for developing a culturally sensitive framework for clinical management of Chinese trauma survivors.