“We (Tong) Chinese”: Contemporary identity positioning through health management among Cantonese Chinese Americans

ABSTRACTThis paper explores discursive ways Chinese American older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) take ownership of their health management. Fifteen patient stakeholders with T2DM took part in four focus group interviews. We used qualitiative discourse analysis to examine how participants used the phrase, “We (Tong) Chinese,” and variants, to index models of Chinese-living-in-the-U.S. personhoods, to incorporate “Chinese” and “western” ways of doing health management, to be Chinese American, and to interact with medical practitioners. We show how terms like “Tong” distinguish transnational boundaries and position participants in claiming “Chinese-in-America-ness” in relevant ways. Findings have implications for healthcare providers, health education, and intercultural communication.