The Self-growth Process of Hospice Volunteers in Ningbo, China.

Objective: The development process of self-growth among Chinese hospice volunteers is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore and delineate their dynamic progression toward self-growth. Methods: This qualitative study used grounded theory to analyze semi-structured interview data using individual in-depth face-to-face interviews with 15 volunteers at a hospice care center in Ningbo, China, between January 2021 and January 2022. Data analysis was based on the open, axial, and selective coding stages of grounded theory and used the constant comparative method. Results: From the interview data, we extracted 1 core category (Death awakening life), 4 categories, and 19 subcategories that pertained to the process of self-growth. The 4 categories delineated the process of self-growth; respondents progressed through self-salvation, self-reflection, self-healing, and self-transcendence stages. The 19 subcategories are introduced and illustrated with interview extracts. Conclusions: The study findings can inform the development of training projects aimed at improving hospice care volunteer services.

Influence of inorganic ions on degradation capability of Fe-based metallic glass towards dyeing wastewater remediation.

Metallic glasses (MGs) are promising candidates for catalysts with high efficiency for dyeing wastewater remediation, due to their metastable nature, disordered structure, and large residual stresses. However, dyeing wastewater usually contains a high concentration of inorganic ions which may have adverse effects on the degradation process, while the impacts of these ions on MGs' degradation capability have often been overlooked and still remain unknown. Thus, the roles of inorganic ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and H2PO4-) on the degradation of azo dye by Fe-based MG with nominal composition of Fe81Si4B14Cu1 were systematically investigated. The results showed that the inorganic ions have significant influence on MG's surface morphology, degradation capability, mineralization and durability. All these aspects need to be considered prior to application of MGs for azo dyes degradation in real natural contaminated water or saline wastewater.

The development process of self-acceptance among Chinese women with breast cancer.

AIM: The development process of self-acceptance in breast cancer survivors is a dynamic process that is poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to explore and delineate the dynamic progression toward self-acceptance in Chinese women with breast cancer. METHODS: Data were collected through individual in-depth face-to-face interviews with 20 women who had undergone treatment for breast cancer at the breast center in a large tertiary care hospital in Ningbo, China between September 2016 and June 2017. Data analysis occurred through the open, axial, and selective coding stages of grounded theory and used the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Based on the interviewer responses, one core category, three categories, and seven subcategories were identified that pertained to the process of self-acceptance in Chinese women with breast cancer. The core category of self-acceptance was normalization, returning to the pre-illness state with an identity and image that conformed to the cultural norm. To reach normalization, women progressed through a crisis stage, a compromise stage, and a managing impressions stage. CONCLUSION: This study proposes that self-acceptance in breast cancer survivors is a dynamic and active process. Findings will inform the development of interventions that will provide structure and support to Chinese women with breast cancer.

The process of accepting breast cancer among Chinese women: A grounded theory study.

PURPOSE: To describe the process by which Chinese women accept living with breast cancer. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 18 Chinese women who completed breast cancer treatment. Data were collected from September 2014 to January 2015 at a large tertiary teaching hospital in Beijing, China. In this grounded theory study, data were analyzed using constant comparative and coding analysis methods. RESULTS: In order to explain the process of accepting having breast cancer among women in China through the grounded theory study, a model that includes 5 axial categories was developed. Cognitive reconstruction emerged as the core category. The extent to which the women with breast cancer accepted having the disease was found to increase with the treatment stage and as their treatment stage progressed with time. The accepting process included five stages: non-acceptance, passive acceptance, willingness to accept, behavioral acceptance, and transcendence of acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Our study using grounded theory study develops a model describing the process by which women accept having breast cancer. The model provides some intervention opportunities at every point of the process.

Self-acceptance and associated factors among Chinese women with breast cancer.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify self-acceptance and associated socio-demographic and disease factors among Chinese women with breast cancer. BACKGROUND: Although it is recognised that breast cancer can affect a woman's feelings of self-acceptance, there are few studies concerning the level of self-acceptance among women with breast cancer and factors associated with self-acceptance in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional research design. METHODS: Data were collected using the convenience sampling method. A total of 308 women with breast cancer were investigated using the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score on the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire was 39·79 ± 5·14, indicating that the women in this study had low levels of self-acceptance. Multiple regression analysis indicated that self-acceptance was positively associated with the time since diagnosis, household income and the presence of medical insurance/government-funded medical treatment, while Tumour, Lymph Node, Metastasis stage was negatively associated with self-acceptance. With respect to work status, retired patients had the highest levels of self-acceptance, those who had returned to work had moderate levels of self-acceptance and those who had not yet returned to work had the lowest levels of self-acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the level of self-acceptance among women with breast cancer in China is low, and suggests that there is room to improve. Several factors are significantly associated with the self-acceptance of women with breast cancer. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Medical staff should realise that the level of self-acceptance among women with breast cancer in China is low and has room to improve. It is important to conduct appropriate interventions to improve self-acceptance among these women, based on an understanding of the factors associated with self-acceptance.