This study investigated the potential benefit of a pilot culturally sensitive group support intervention, named Joy Luck Academy (JLA), in fostering posttraumatic growth among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. Eighty-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors participated in an eight-week single-arm pre-/post-test trial of an intervention program, which included educational lectures and peer mentor support. The JLA participants were compared with an independent sample of 109 Chinese American breast cancer survivors who went through routine care. Both groups completed baseline and eight-week follow-up assessments of the five facets of posttraumatic growth (meaningful interpersonal relationships, finding new possibilities in life, personal strength, appreciation of life, and spirituality). From baseline to follow-up, the JLA participants displayed significant improvements in the total score of posttraumatic growth, meaningful interpersonal relationships, appreciation of life, finding new possibilities in life, and personal strength. In contrast, the routine care participants showed no significant change in any of these outcome variables. The findings suggest the potential benefit of a culturally sensitive group support intervention in facilitating posttraumatic growth for Chinese American breast cancer survivors, indicating the need for a randomized controlled trial. The educational lectures and peer mentor support may be adapted to tailor the needs of other ethnic minority cancer patients.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Chinese American; culture; posttraumatic growth.