Taking good care of myself: A qualitative study on self‐care behavior among C hinese persons with a permanent colostomy

In C hinese culture, as a possible consequence of C onfucianism, caring for the sick is considered a moral obligation of family members, while self‐care is only the basis of fulfilling filial piety. This qualitative study aims to explore the self‐care behavior among persons with a permanent colostomy in a C hinese cultural context of emphasizing the role of family caregiving. Data from in‐depth interviews with seven C hinese adults at a university hospital in southwest C hina were analyzed using content analysis. Informants' self‐care behavior was characterized by “taking good care of myself,” which underlined individuals' efforts to manage colostomy‐related impacts involving: (i) taking care of my colostomy with a proper degree of independence; (ii) taking care of my life by dealing with limitations; (iii) taking care of my mood in a positive way. Findings revealed that informants' self‐care behavior was linked to their C onfucian beliefs in family obligations, and also influenced by a happy‐go‐lucky outlook of life, a likely product of T aoism. The information is useful for nurses to design a culturally appropriate care plan to improve self‐care behavior and proper family caregiving.