Abstract

This study explored the possible similarities and differences between Chinese and American children’s understanding of illness and health, as well as the influences of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in coordination with modern society. In China, child participants were recruited from schools in Beijing and Hubei. The adult participants in China were recruited from universities in Beijing. In the U.S., participants were recruited from schools and universities in Michigan and California. Groups of 4-5, 6-7, and 8-10-year-olds were interviewed while adults were asked to answer two questionnaires; both contain the same questions and try to capture which possible explanations of illness they endorse. Possible explanations were coded in the following categories: psychogenic, behavioral, biological, symptomatic, immanent justice, qì/autonomous energy/vitalism, pollution, and others. Both Chinese and Americans prioritize the causes of illness in the same order of effect: biological, vitalistic, psychogenic, and, lastly, immanent justice, but to varying degrees. It was also found that the older the age group, the more likely participants attributed biological causes to be the main reason for illness as well as believed that coexistence of causes could be possible. This supports the idea of some effect of culture and age on the understanding of what causes illness.