We collected quantitative data using valid and reliable
research questionnaires which participants completed and
returned by mail. The three main instruments were originally
developed in English. Thus, despite the fact that the Chinese
versions of the instruments had good psychometric properties,
the interpretation of items was a concern. To ascertain
whether the patients understood the words used in
the instruments, and to provide more depth to the findings,
we conducted semi-structured interviews, comprised of nine
open-ended questions relevant to coping, anxiety, quality of
life and adaptation processes with three male and three
female participants. We recorded these data by hand.