Twenty Veterans Administration patients with histories of heavy daily alcoholic consumption were matched on age, education, IQ, and diagnosis with 20 patients with no history of reliance on alcohol, and then-scores on a Rorschach measure of orality were compared. As predicted, the alcoholics gave more oral dependent responses than the controls (p = .01). Although total scores on oral sadism did not discriminate between groups, the alcoholic 5s gave more responses on two of the oral sadistic subcategories, burdens and overwhelming figures. The striking similarity of subcategory performance of this group to an earlier group of obese Israelis was discussed.

People in the United States often consult registered nurses (nurses) for advice when they want to explore alternatives to Western medicine, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Nurses find themselves confronting dilemmas when they are caught between these radically different worlds of medical cultures and thinking. Twenty Minnesota nurses were interviewed to learn how they integrate TCM into their triage process. Symbolic interactionism was the research framework used, and mixed coding methods facilitated data analysis. Several sociological theories explain the findings. The major finding is that nurses use a four-step triage process that begins from the Western medical perspective and includes consideration of TCM use. Nurses' recommendations are influenced by their situational roles and relationships, and by the cues they read from the person who is asking their advice. The results point to nurses being natural disseminators of TCM information and education in their resource role for others making health care decisions.

Nurses are increasingly using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for relief of personal health issues. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore how nurses' TCM experiences affect nurses' professional identities and practices. Symbolic interaction is the research framework used. Mixed methods of coding facilitate data analysis. Sociological theories explain the findings. The study included 20 semistructured interviews of 10 practicing nurses and 10 faculty members in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The data provide the basis for several new conclusions. Nursing subspecialty practice norms determine how TCM experience affects nurses' professional identities and nursing practices. Mutable nursing careers enable nurses to incorporate TCM into their nursing ''toolbox.'' Among the significant findings from this study is that nurses try TCM and share that information with others, creating inroads for integration of TCM into Western medicine.Keywords acupressure, acupuncture, CAM use, integrative medicine, moral career, mutable self, nurse, symbolic interaction, traditional Chinese medicine Today, Americans are increasingly using and personally paying for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) (Barnes, Bloom, & Nahin, 2008;Nahin, Barnes, Stussman, & Bloom, 2009). This trend also prevails among registered nurses, which is not surprising because many of the CAM therapies such as massage and healing touch are similar to nursing practice techniques used over the years. What is more interesting is that many venture outside of the more common CAM therapies to try various forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that are less well known or understood within Western medical circles. Although scientific studies are underway to prove efficacy of TCM in treating specific medical problems, for the most part, nurses who try TCM are choosing a medical option often considered risky because outcomes largely lack empirical validity.How is it then that registered nurses, trained in Western medicine, are willing to try TCM to treat their personal illnesses? Once having had that experience, how does a nurse's TCM use affect his or her professional identity? Do nurses keep this knowledge private or risk discussing their break from Western medicine with their colleagues, patients, families, and or friends? How do nurses incorporate this information and experience into their nursing practices if at all? This article presents the results of a qualitative case study that explored these questions to learn how use of TCM affected nurses' professional identities and nursing practice.

Objectives:This research study assessed perceived changes in quality-of-life measures related to participation in complementary services consisting of a variety of nontraditional therapies and/or programs at Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Design:Survey data were used to assess perceived changes participants ascribed to their experience with complementary services at Pathways. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using participant demographics together with participant ratings of items from the “Self-Assessment of Change” (SAC) measure developed at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on written responses to an additional survey question: “To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?”Setting/Location:Pathways offers a variety of services, including one-to-one sessions using nontraditional healing therapies, support groups, educational classes, and practice groups such as yoga and meditation for those facing serious health challenges. These services are offered free of charge through community financial support using volunteer practitioners.Participants:People (126) diagnosed with serious health challenges who used Pathways services from 2007 through 2009.Interventions:Participation in self-selected Pathways services.Measures:Responses to items on the SAC measure plus written responses to the question, “To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?”Results:Quantitative findings: Participants reported experiencing significant changes across all components of the SAC measure. Qualitative findings: Responses to the open-ended survey question identified perspectives on the culture of Pathways and a shift in participants' perceptions of well-being based on their experience of Pathways services.Conclusions:Participation in services provided by the Pathways organization improved perceptions of quality of life and well-being and led to more active involvement in the experience of a healing process.