A Concept Analysis of Thum-jai: A Thai Coping Strategy
Keywords:
Acceptance, Buddhism, Concept analysis, Coping, Islam, Thai cultureAbstract
Thum-jai is a coping strategy embedded in the culture of Thailand and used by people when facing an adverse situation or circumstance for which there seems to be no escape. The purpose of this concept analysis was to explore the usage of the term Thum-jai in research studies and clarify its conceptual meaning. We searched the concept in nine bibliographic e-databases and used Walker and Avant’s method of concept analysis. Thai and English studies (n=46) formed the basis for analysis. Two domains of usage were health/health-related conditions and daily living/work.
Thum-jai may be understood within either the Buddhist or Islamic religious context. It is typically practiced during the life cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. The religious/ spiritual context produces a sense of obligation to respond in a manner consistent with the teachings of faith and personal integrity. Within that context, the attributes of Thum-jai are accepting and letting go of the negative situation, forgetting the bad feeling, calming or steadying the mind, and developing patience and understanding. The consequences of Thum-jai are peace of mind, emotional stability, positive thought, and productive change. Model, borderline, and contrary cases are presented. Clinicians should recognize that clients are engulfed in the maelstrom of their troubles. A discussion about Thum-jai might improve how clients handle stressful situations. Clients can explore their own thoughts, beliefs, circumstances, and readiness for acceptance.
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31. Kaewgaptong H. Psychological experience of widows from the unrest in southern border provinces [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2011. (In Thai).
32. Neamsakul W. Unintended Thai adolescent pregnancy: A grounded theory study [dissertation]. [San Francisco, (CA)]: University of California, San Francisco; 2008.
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38. Collected Wheel Publications. 2nd ed. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society; 1981.
39. Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Schetter C, DeLongis A, Gruen RJ. Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1986; 50(5): 992-1003.
40. Serenity prayer [cited 2017 April 6]. [Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer
2. Hayes SC. Acceptance and commitment therapy, relational frame theory, and the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies. Behav Ther. 2004; 35: 639-65.
3. LaChapelle DL, Lavoie S, Boudreau A. The meaning and process of pain acceptance. Perceptions of women living with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Pain Res Manag. 2008; 13(3): 201-10.
4. Srichannil C. Healing through culturally embedded practice: An investigation of counsellors’ and clients’ experiences of Buddhist counselling in Thailand [dissertation]. [Edinburgh, Scotland]: The University of Edinburgh; 2014.
5. Office of the Royal Society. Dictionary: National Academy Association; 2558/2015 [cited 2017 February 18]. Available from: https://www.royin.go.th/?page_id=130
6. Sethabouppha HP. Buddhist family caregiving: A phenomenological study of family caregiving to the seriously mentally ill in Thailand [dissertation]. [Charlottesville (VA)]: University of Virginia; 2002.
7. Walker LO, Avant KC. Strategies for theory construction in nursing. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall; 2011.
8. Waltz CF, Strickland OL, Lenz ER. Measurement in Nursing and Health Research. 5th ed. New York: Springer Publishing Company; 2017.
9. Rungreangkulkij S, Chesla C. Smooth a heart with water: Thai mothers care for a child with schizophrenia. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2001; 15(3): 120-7.
10. Tungpunkom P. Staying in balance: Skill and role development in psychiatric caregiving [dissertation]. [San Franciso (CA)]: University of California at San Francisco; 2000.
11. Charenchom A. Psychological experiences of family caregivers in caring for schizophrenic patients [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2008. (In Thai).
12. Sunpaweravong J. Development of a Thai-Expressed Emotion Scale (TEES) for family caregivers of schizophrenic patients [dissertation]. [Songkla, Thailand]: Prince of Songkla University; 2007.
13. Klankaradi K. Never-ending caring: The experiences caring for a child with cerebral palsy [dissertation]. [Palmerston North, New Zealand]: Massey University; 2008.
14. Black JD, Girotto JA, Chapman KE, Oppenheimer AJ. When my child was born: Cross-cultural reactions to the birth of a child with cleft lip and/or palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2009; 46(5): 545-48.
15. Get-Kong S, Hanucharurnkul S, McCorkle R, Viwatwongkasem C, Junda T, Ittichaikulthol W. Symptom experience, palliative care and spiritual well-being among Thais with advanced cancer. Pacific Rim Int J of Nurs Res. 2010; 14(3): 219-234.
16. Junda T. Our family’s experiences: A study of Thai families living with women in the early stages of breast cancer. Thai J Nurs Res. 2004; 8(4): 260-75.
17. Piyasut C. Thai patients’ experiences of end-stage renal disease: A path through an unknown world [dissertation]. [San Diego (CA)]: University of San Diego; 2010.
18. Pukpobusuk N, Panpakdee O, Maneesriwongul W, Viwatwongkasem C, Ingsathit A. Development and psychometric properties of the Thai health-related quality of life instrument for dialysis patients. Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res. 2012; 16(2): 154-67.
19. Buatee S. Exploring the health care experiences of rural Thai people living with acquired valvular heart disease [dissertation]. [Wellington, New Zealand]: Massey University; 2010.
20. Bunkong S. Symptom experiences, symptom management, and symptom outcomes in patients waiting for coronary artery bypass graft [dissertation]. [Songkla, Thailand]: Prince of Songkla University; 2009.
21. Chaiweeradayt M. Experiences of being an adult patient receiving ventilator [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2012. (In Thai).
22. Ditruchgij C. Experiences of living with Parkinson disease of Thai elderly. J Police Nurs. 2011; 3(1): 75-87.
23. Kirdphon W. Accepting and adjusting to chronicity of hypertension: A grounded theory study in Thai people [dissertation]. [Seattle (WA)]: University of Washington; 2003.
24. Boonyoung N, Muecke M. The access to healthcare service from perspectives of middle-aged working women in Southern Thailand. Thai J Nurs Res. 2005; 9(4): 237-50.
25. Noonil N, Hendricks J, Aekwarangkoon S. Lived experience of Thai women and their changing bodies in midlife. Nurs Health Sci. 2012; 14: 312-7.
26. Pankammoon T. Informing the middle age male to adjust themselves from the life experiences [master’s thesis]. [Chon Buri, Thailand]: Burapha University; 2007. (In Thai).
27. Maranga L. Fear of falling experiences of older person [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2010. (In Thai).
28. Kramanon S. Adversity coping experiences of Thai farmers [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2014. (In Thai).
29. Esara P. Changing marriage, changing society: Contradiction of gender, class and identity in Bangkok, Thailand [dissertation]. [Providence, (RI)]: Brown University; 2007.
30. Songwathana P. Women and AIDS caregiving: Women’s work? Health Care Women Int. 2001; 22: 263-79.
31. Kaewgaptong H. Psychological experience of widows from the unrest in southern border provinces [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2011. (In Thai).
32. Neamsakul W. Unintended Thai adolescent pregnancy: A grounded theory study [dissertation]. [San Francisco, (CA)]: University of California, San Francisco; 2008.
33. Jaemjan S. Psychological experiences of female homicidal inmates of Chiangmai Female Correctional Institution [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]. Chulalongkorn University; 2007. (In Thai).
34. Jariyanuwat U. Experiences of professional nurses working at outpatients department of a private hospital [master’s thesis]. [Bangkok, Thailand]: Chulalongkorn University; 2015.
35. Stamp. Tum jai. Posted by Maleewong1s kanal 2007. [cited 2017 April 6]. Available from: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=nhph3fFmQ3U
36. Pisanu B. Tum Jai Lum Bahk. 2012. [cited 2017 April 6]. Available from: https://deungdutjai.com/2012/12/ 19/tumjailumbahkboy/
37. Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook: East and Southeast Asia – Thailand. 2017. [cited 2017 April 6]. Available from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/th.html
38. Collected Wheel Publications. 2nd ed. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society; 1981.
39. Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Schetter C, DeLongis A, Gruen RJ. Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1986; 50(5): 992-1003.
40. Serenity prayer [cited 2017 April 6]. [Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer
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Published
2017-07-10
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Mills AC, Wong-Anuchit C, Poogpan J. A Concept Analysis of Thum-jai: A Thai Coping Strategy. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2017 Jul. 10 [cited 2024 May 8];21(3):234-43. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/78114
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