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WORKING WITH CHINESE AND CHINESE AMERICANS PSYCHOANALYTICALLY

posted Aug 31, 2018, 8:11 PM by Chao-Ying Wang

When Freud established psychoanalysis with its emphasis on the identification and function of unconscious in the 1890s, there was a backdrop of European culture going through changes in literary, philosophical and scientific movements. Freud’s finding, in a way, is considered by some as a culmination of collective social and intellectual progression.

As the development of psychoanalysis originated in Western culture, Asians, specifically Chinese, have been slow to adapt to this modality as a treatment option for emotional disturbances. The concept of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy has often felt to be a foreign notion to many Asians. So it seems the lack of familiarity about the subject matter has been a significant barrier for the acceptance and utilization of psychoanalysis amongst Asians, and specifically, the Chinese. (....continue)

THE PSYCHODYNAMICS AND SOCIAL FACTORS OF MARITAL INFIDELITY AND COMPULSIVE GAMBLING AMONG CHINESE AMERICANS

posted Dec 25, 2011, 7:37 PM by Chao-Ying Wang [updated Dec 25, 2011, 11:29 PM]

Given marital infidelity being an age-old phenomenon prevalent across different races and cultures, the issue of infidelity seems to have been even more rampant among Chinese Americans and Chinese and Taiwanese men from Taiwan during the past two decades. One dominant precipitating social factor seems to be businessmen away from home for years or months at a time. Other than the unique social and economical currents faced by this generation of Chinese Americans, the emotions that underlie infidelity are explored from the psychological perspectives of separation-individuation, oedipal infidelity, and object relations theories.

Compulsive gambling, although the elements of social current are not as clear as Marital infidelity and is more of a latent phenomenon among Chinese Americans, nonetheless the prevalence of such addicted behaviors has created concern in the communities. A review of literature was conducted to better grasp the psychodynamics of such destructive yet elusive behaviors. Freud considers gambling as an exemplification of the oedipal complex and inclination to bisexuality. (...continue)

A CASE DISCUSSION

posted Dec 25, 2011, 7:18 PM by Chao-Ying Wang [ updated Dec 25, 2011, 11:30 PM ]

The following is a discussion of the case, John—a young Asian male in his early 20s--presented by Dr. Siqing Li.

Brief summary of the reported symptoms and known family dynamics:

• Meth and alcohol abuse

• Suicide attempt by overdose on Tylenol

• Mood swings since age 16

• Depression

• Violent and self-destructive behaviors following command auditory hallucination

• Persecutory delusions

• Manic episodes—running 16 miles a day at times, sleeping 2 to 3 hours, “kissing 15 Girls in one night,” picking up fights, made threats to others, compulsive shopping (...continue)