<p>Previous studies on chronic leukemia patients have focused on the medical characteristics of the disease and its impact on patients’ quality of life. However, less attention has been given to their experiences associated with disease stigma. This qualitative study explores the stigmatization experiences and coping strategies of young Chinese chronic leukemia patients within the moral approach of stigma. Ten young chronic leukemia patients from mainland China were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews, and the transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that the onset of chronic leukemia temporarily disrupts the life course of young patients, preventing them from fulfilling their moral obligation. They have suffered prejudice against chronic leukemia, being labeled as useless, as well as losing various opportunities, such as employment and marriage. It results in the stigmatization of young people with chronic leukemia at subjective, familial, and interpersonal levels. However, young people with chronic leukemia are not entirely passive in the face of their illness; they can adopt a range of strategies to restore their symbolic capital, strive to live “normal” lives, and counteract the effects of stigmatization. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the stigmatizing experiences of young chronic leukemia patients and provide valuable insights and recommendations to improve their well-being.</p>

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Moral status, stigma, and resilience: Lived experiences of young Chinese patients with chronic leukemia

  • Jun Zhou,
  • Miao Yu,
  • Li-Hua Fu

摘要

Previous studies on chronic leukemia patients have focused on the medical characteristics of the disease and its impact on patients’ quality of life. However, less attention has been given to their experiences associated with disease stigma. This qualitative study explores the stigmatization experiences and coping strategies of young Chinese chronic leukemia patients within the moral approach of stigma. Ten young chronic leukemia patients from mainland China were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews, and the transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that the onset of chronic leukemia temporarily disrupts the life course of young patients, preventing them from fulfilling their moral obligation. They have suffered prejudice against chronic leukemia, being labeled as useless, as well as losing various opportunities, such as employment and marriage. It results in the stigmatization of young people with chronic leukemia at subjective, familial, and interpersonal levels. However, young people with chronic leukemia are not entirely passive in the face of their illness; they can adopt a range of strategies to restore their symbolic capital, strive to live “normal” lives, and counteract the effects of stigmatization. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the stigmatizing experiences of young chronic leukemia patients and provide valuable insights and recommendations to improve their well-being.