Culture and reflexivity: systemic journeys with a British Chinese family

Abstract

This paper describes a reflective space created between two Singaporean Chinese systemic psychotherapists and a British Chinese family -the Chans. The family attended the Marlborough Cultural Therapy Centre (MCTC) in London and was given two separate culture-specific systemic treatments by different therapists, which were reflected upon collaboratively with the Chans. A brief literature review of British Chinese and mental health, culture and reflexivity is described. The authors discuss clinical implications including the impact of British Chinese cultures and the effect of mental health issues on the family. The process and outcomes of the treatment are explained using the frame of reflexivity. Clinical implications discussed include the impact of British Chinese cultures and the effects of schizophrenia and anxiety on the family. Practitioner points• Reflexivity is an interactional process creating change through repeated awareness, reflection and action related to our similarities and differences • This process may helpfully guide practitioners through therapeutic journeys • Reflexivity is especially important when considering both similarities and differences -even when the therapist is working with clients from a similar (ethnic) culture • Involving clients in the writing process enhances reflexivity for both therapists and clients and in itself can be thought of as a further intervention

Reflexivity in Qualitative Research

“…It has been articulated in the research literature of many fields, taking a major role in some (e.g., psychology, social work, nursing) and less so in others (e.g., public health, medicine). It has been established as one of the ways qualitative researchers should ensure rigor and quality in their work; it is the gold standard for determining trustworthiness (Teh & Lek, 2018). “Reflexive practice can be some of the most challenging and important work in qualitative research” (Mitchell et al 2018, p. 673).…”

Measuring Therapeutic Changes for a British Chinese Family UsingSCORE‐15

“…In addition, as ethnic‐minority therapists, we placed reflexivity in the foreground. When working with ethnic‐minority families we believe reflexivity is ‘an interactional process that creates changes over time, through repeated awareness, reflection and action in relation to our similarities and differences’ (Teh & Lek, , p.3).…”

“…Certain facts and names of the family have been changed to protect their identities. A detailed description of this case and themes relating to culture and reflexivity has been published elsewhere (Teh & Lek, ). For the purpose of this paper only a summary of the case is presented.…”

“Take-Away” My Childhood: The Second-Generation British Chinese in the Catering Trade

“…Recently, research interest in this ethic group starts to sprout, and studies about the British Chinese include the leisure of British Chinese communities amidst COVID-19 pandemic (Pang, 2020a), the educational success of British Chinese pupils (Francis et al, 2017), mental health resulted from British Chinese cultural impact (Tek & Lek, 2018), and children of Chinese origin being adopted by and growing up in British families (Grant & Rushton, 2018). Moreover, Lam and Tran (2017) argued that "little research has explored the ethnic cognition and effect of ethnic Chinese children from Britain and Europe, contrasting the established literature from North America" (p. 135); Knox (2019) proposed that television representations of British Chinese identities have been long neglected; Pang (2020b) also identified the lack of study in the field of British Chinese physicality.…”