International Journal of Nursing Studies 43 (2006) 301–309 A narrative inquiry into the Hong Kong Chinese adults’ concepts of health through their cultural stories Engle Angela Chan Ã , Kin Cheung, Esther Mok, Sharon Cheung, Edmond Tong The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Nursing, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Received 22 December 2004; received in revised form 13 May 2005; accepted 25 June 2005 Abstract Background: Abundant studies have investigated how health concepts held by individuals shape and are shaped by psychosocial and cultural factors, though many were limited to the conceptual level. The meaning and signiﬁcance of health behaviours are better understood as an expression of something occurring over time. Objectives: This narrative study explores how Hong Kong Chinese adults understand the meaning of health and the ways by which they construct and express these meanings in their lives. Additionally, by recognizing the central features of temporality, personal–social interactions within a place/culture in narrative thinking, this narrative inquiry may help health-care professionals to revisit the meaning of health promotion within the context of an individual’s life situation. Methods: Five participants were recruited for the study. Data were collected through a series of audio-taped unstructured interviews and conversations with each participant. Results: Findings underscore several features of participants’ concepts and expressions of health: the signiﬁcance of Confucian teachings on roles and responsibilities, Eastern view of self, Western biomedical orientation, and Hong Kong’s unique work culture. Their responses not only express the attitudes and behaviours of individuals, but also the ways they engage in their constructed identity. Conclusion: Participants’ concepts of health evolved over time according to the personal meanings attached to them at various life stages. While participants recognized the interconnectedness of the mind and body, the physical foci of traditional Western medicine remained salient in their health stories. Furthermore, there is a clear delineation of personal management of the psychological health and professional management of physical health. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Narrative; Health; Hong Kong; Chinese adult; Culture What is already known about the topic?  Health is considered a multidimensional concept that evolves over time.  Chinese and Western conceptions of health are different. What this paper adds  Health is both a means and an end in daily life.  In Hong Kong the interaction between Eastern traditions, Western health beliefs and a work culture create a multicultural construction of health and its expression.  A dichotomous view of physical and psychological health management exists within a mind–body concept of health. ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/ijnurstu 0020-7489/$ - see front matter r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2005.06.001 Ã Corresponding author. Fax: +852 2364 9663. E-mail address: hseachan@inet.polyu.edu.hk (E.A. Chan).