ANTHMETHGRP2-2425-YAOKE-XU

[Last modified: December, 4 2024 01:05 AM]

If I were guiding the student as part of the Anthropology Ethics Committee, I would emphasize the importance of adhering to ethical standards to minimize risks to both the researcher and the studied community. This research on veganism through street art poses ethical challenges due to privacy concerns, the potential for legal exposure, and the power dynamics inherent in studying vulnerable or marginalized groups.

Legal Risks: The student must be cautious when working with content that might involve illegal activities, such as spray-painting walls without permission. While the research does not involve encouraging or participating in these actions, documenting or publicizing such activities could expose both the researcher and participants to legal scrutiny. I would advise the student to anonymize all data thoroughly, ensuring that no specific individuals, locations, or other identifying details are revealed. Furthermore, the student should avoid directly engaging with individuals involved in illegal activities unless clear consent and ethical safeguards are in place.

Privacy Concerns: The use of online materials from public and semi-private platforms requires careful navigation. For example, joining a closed Facebook group entails answering questions for access, which could raise concerns about coercion or misrepresentation. The student should be transparent with group administrators about the research purpose and ensure that participation is voluntary. Data from these groups should be aggregated and anonymized to protect member identities. Similarly, while the Instagram account of the vegan artist is public, the small number of followers makes the artist highly identifiable. Any references to this account should be anonymized or paraphrased to protect the individual’s privacy.

Since the artist claims to be 18 years old, the student must confirm the individual’s age and ensure that they fully understand the implications of their participation. Working with young individuals in niche activist communities requires sensitivity to power dynamics. The student should avoid imposing interpretations or drawing undue attention to participants that could lead to harm.

Also, all data should be stored securely on encrypted devices, with separate files for anonymized and raw data. Data should be securely deleted after the project concludes.

Finally, the student should ensure the research benefits the community by highlighting their efforts and providing insights that validate their advocacy work. Sharing results with participants in an accessible format could foster trust and mutual respect.

[Last modified: November, 26 2024 01:48 AM]

Sensory Observation in a Campus Park

I chose a busy park next to the campus for my sensory observation, a place filled with activity and life. As I sat on a bench for about 15 minutes, I tried to tune into the different sensations around me, letting the environment capture my attention. What I experienced was a fascinating mix of sensory stimuli that not only connected me to the world around me but also, strangely, made me lose touch with myself in the process.

The sounds of the park were vivid and ever-present. Birds chirped from the trees, their songs clear and sharp against the backdrop of constant traffic noise in the distance. People’s voices filled the air, some chatting casually, others laughing or debating animatedly. The combination of conversations, nature, and urban hums created a soundscape that felt both familiar and slightly disorienting. In the middle of it all, the faint buzz from food trucks nearby added a new layer, with the sounds of sizzling and the occasional call to potential customers.

I felt the cold wind, its chill a contrast to the warmth of the sun. It was refreshing, almost cleansing, and had a surprising effect on me: the wind seemed to clear my mind, making my thoughts feel lighter, more distant. As I breathed in, the air felt crisp, working as a reminder of the seasons changing. The golden sunlight filtered through the trees, casting soft, dappled patterns on the ground. It was like a beautiful but cold embrace.

The smells in the park were an interesting mix of natural and manmade. The cold air had that fresh, earthy scent of grass, mixed with a subtle, almost metallic aroma from the park benches. But it was the food trucks that dominated my sense of smell, their delicious offerings—grilled meats, fried snacks—filling the air. The combination of smells was like a strange, yet pleasing, contrast between nature and the bustling world of food and city life.

As I looked around, I couldn’t ignore the freezing, smooth surface of the bench I sat on, the slight dampness of the grass that had been touched by dew, and the roughness of the tree bark when I absentmindedly ran my hand over it. The cold wind made everything feel sharper.

It was a unique experience. The sensory overload of sound, smell, sight, and touch pulled me into a space where I wasn’t thinking about myself at all.

[Last modified: November, 21 2024 09:18 AM]

Walking into the supermarket, the doors slide open with a faint hiss, and a gust of cold air hits me, carrying a mix of smells—fresh produce, cleaning supplies, something warm and buttery from the bakery. My hand tightens around the cart handle, slightly cool and textured against my skin, grounding me in this ordinary space. The brightness of the overhead lights is almost too much, casting a white glow that makes everything feel a bit clinical, even though the shelves are full of vibrant colors.

As I steer the cart, weaving through aisles, I feel the subtle tension of sharing this space with strangers. We navigate around each other in silent, unspoken rhythms. A man stops suddenly to examine a can of soup; I hesitate, deciding whether to move around him or wait until he finishes. There’s a woman to my right, quickly grabbing items and barely glancing around, while a couple behind me strolls slowly, deep in conversation. We’re all in the same place but moving at different paces, with different priorities, forming an unplanned dance of stops, starts, and detours.

As I move towards the checkout, I’m aware of the people around me, the way everyone’s focused yet separate, glancing at their lists, reaching for items, or adjusting bags. There’s a rhythm here—a blend of intention and interruption, movement and pause—that feels familiar, almost comforting. Each aisle feels like its own little world, but we’re all connected by these brief encounters, these shared, everyday tasks.

The scanner beeps, and I load my items onto the conveyor belt, still feeling the cool, sterile air against my skin, the background murmur of people talking, carts rattling over tiled floors, and the faint crackle of a loudspeaker announcement. With each item I place, there’s a sense of completion, of rejoining the flow of others. Walking out, I push open the door and step back into the world, blinking at the daylight, leaving behind that shared, structured space for the open air.

By including the researcher’s bodily experience, we’re saying, “Observation isn’t just neutral; it’s personal.” We’re acknowledging that our bodies—our sensations, comfort levels, and biases—are part of the research. This approach brings a more human element into the picture, making the research richer and more reflective of real life. Instead of seeing the supermarket as just another data point, it becomes a stage where social norms, emotions, and unspoken rules all come into play. In the end, we’re not just gathering facts; we’re uncovering what it means to be a part of these everyday, shared spaces.

[Last modified: November, 14 2024 10:20 AM]

When exploring non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese adolescents and their family systems, it’s hard to avoid the political angles that come into play, like how society views mental health or how cultural norms shape family dynamics. NSSI is a sensitive issue, often surrounded by stigma, especially in places where mental health topics aren’t openly discussed. In a way, the design of this project naturally leans toward a position of reducing that stigma, hoping to raise awareness and support for those affected. This approach aligns with the global push for mental health advocacy, but it may clash with traditional Chinese attitudes, where mental health struggles are often seen as private or family matters rather than societal ones.

My own background as a psychiatrist adds another layer to these political dimensions. My training drives me to advocate for mental health support and to challenge stigma, so I have a built-in bias towards seeing NSSI as a health issue that needs more public resources and attention. At the same time, my understanding of Chinese family culture helps me navigate the cultural nuances around mental health within a society where family honor and privacy are important. This position means I’m bringing a bit of a Westernized view of mental health into a setting with more traditional family values, which can create tension.

The findings of this research could have political implications, like pushing for better mental health resources in schools, encouraging more open conversations about mental health, and possibly shifting how society views adolescent mental health in China. However, making family dynamics a focus could unintentionally feel like criticism of traditional parenting practices, which could have unintended consequences in more conservative circles.

To handle these political aspects, my approach needs to be culturally sensitive. That might mean structuring interviews in a way that lets participants talk about NSSI in terms that resonate with them, rather than imposing Western mental health language. I’ll also need to keep a reflexive approach throughout, constantly checking in on how my own views and the political environment might be shaping my interpretations. This way, I aim to produce insights that are both accurate and respectful of the complex cultural and political landscape surrounding NSSI in Chinese adolescents.

[Last modified: October, 30 2024 01:17 AM]

A Sketch at Starbucks

I arrived at a Starbucks near UCL’s main campus just before noon. Situated at a busy intersection, the café was bustling with activity both inside and out. Upon entering, I noticed a lively yet calm environment—patrons clustered in small groups, their voices low and subdued as if mindful of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. In the first five minutes, I observed a few older individuals speaking softly about work-related matters, bringing a touch of formality to the morning’s scene.As time passed, tables began to clear out, and a new rhythm settled in as the remaining patrons were mostly young students. Most of them were female, typically in groups of two or three, chatting quietly about topics such as relationships, study plans, Halloween, and Christmas preparations. Despite it being a Friday afternoon, the pace of conversation was notably relaxed. There was a sense of unwinding in the air, as though everyone was taking a breath from the week’s activities.

This Starbucks scene reminded me of a similar spot by the hospital where I used to work. There, a midday coffee break presents a starkly different picture. The café is perpetually crowded, with almost every seat taken, and an intense hum of activity fills the room. Conversations blend into a loud buzz, as everyone appears preoccupied with their own tasks. I recall seeing weary family members of patients taking short breaks, stepping outside to make phone calls, or waiting in the corner with a distracted look. Others engage in loud business discussions, and quick meet-ups are a common sight. There is almost no one in this setting who can afford to simply relax or study, and medical staff frequently come and go, grabbing coffee to take back with them.

These two Starbucks locations, though architecturally similar, embody the distinct rhythms. Near UCL, there’s a slower, academically-inclined flow where students find moments to unwind. By the hospital, it’s a dynamic hub of brief reprieve amid the faster, sometimes stressful pace of clinical life. Each space reflects the contrasting lifestyles of its patrons, showing the essence of “midday coffee time” in ways that are as unique as the individuals themselves.

[Last modified: October, 22 2024 02:43 PM]

Used to be a psychiatrist, my commitment to mental health care deeply informs my positionality in researching non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese adolescents and their family systems. My professional background compels me to approach this topic not merely as an academic pursuit but as a critical issue that affects the well-being of young individuals. This has instilled in me a sense of responsibility to explore the underlying factors contributing to NSSI, particularly in the context of family dynamics, which often play a significant role.

My positionality as a psychiatrist brings both strengths and challenges to this research. On the one hand, my clinical training allows me to approach the topic with a deep understanding of mental health, self-harm behaviors, and the psychological mechanisms that drive such actions. I am equipped with the skills to recognize signs of distress, interpret the language of emotional pain, and understand the various ways adolescents may communicate their struggles. This background provides me with a lens through which I can explore NSSI behaviors not just as isolated acts but as part of a broader narrative of mental health, familial expectations, and cultural pressures.

On the other hand, I am also aware that my clinical perspective may introduce biases. In my practice, I am accustomed to seeking solutions, offering diagnoses, and proposing treatments. This problem-solving approach, while useful in a therapeutic setting, could influence how I interpret the behaviors and experiences of the adolescents in my research. I should be cautious not to pathologize or oversimplify their experiences by imposing a clinical framework where a more nuanced, anthropological perspective is required. This awareness pushes me to remain reflexive, continually questioning how my professional identity shapes my interactions, interpretations, and conclusions.

Additionally, my cultural background as a researcher who may share certain cultural norms with the participants adds another layer to my positionality. While it may allow me to build trust and understand cultural nuances, it also necessitates careful self-reflection to avoid making assumptions based on shared cultural values. Concepts like “face” (miànzi) and filial piety (xiào) are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and can influence how adolescents express distress and how families respond. My familiarity with these concepts can be advantageous, but it also requires me to critically assess whether I am projecting my own understandings onto the participants’ experiences.

In conclusion, I am driven by the obligation to help those struggling with self-injury, but I must remain vigilant about the ways my background influences my research.

[Last modified: October, 16 2024 04:28 AM]

Field notes:

Location: UCL Students Centre

Time: 2024/10/11

Maybe gathering information from English-speaking campuses and the internet can significantly enrich my pilot research plan on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese adolescents and their family systems.

So I chatted with a 22-year-old UCL student, KK, who is a media anthropology student and an adult with NSSI experience. KK came from a small town in Taiwan, always excelled academically. She was the pride of her family, who expected to set a good example. As she grew up, she became accustomed to those high expectations. When she received an offer to study at a UCL, she imagined a new life full of possibilities, new friends, and the freedom to explore her interests. But deep down, she was also anxious. She knew the expectations were high, and the pressure to succeed was immense.

She told me that everything felt different at first-the language, the culture, and even the way people interacted. She struggled with the nuances of academic writing and class discussions and spent hours in the library, studying late into the night, trying to keep up. She often thought about what would happen if she failed.

One night, after a particularly stressful day of classes, KK returned to her dorm room and sat on her bed, staring at the blank wall. She felt a tightness in her chest, a suffocating sense of failure that she couldn’t escape.

In that moment, she felt an impulse self-harm—she didn’t fully understand why, but she felt drawn to the idea. It seemed like a way to release the pressure, even if just for a moment. She found a small knife and made a small, deliberate cut on her arm. The pain was sharp, but it brought a sense of relief, a distraction from the turmoil inside her.

It wasn’t the last time. Whenever she felt overwhelmed she would retreat to her room, roll up her sleeves, and make another cut. She made sure the marks were small, hidden, so no one would notice. It was her secret, a way to regain a sense of control when everything else felt chaotic.

KK knew that what she was doing wasn’t right and turned to counseling services, she was greeted by friendly counselors began to talk. As she continued to visit the counselor over the weeks, she began to open up more. There were times when she relapsed, but she was beginning to see that she didn’t have to carry the burden alone. She still struggled to talk about her mental health with her family, but she was starting to understand that seeking help didn’t make her weak.

KK’s experience is a typical case that NSSI became a way to manage overwhelming emotions, and slso reminds me of the complex interplay between cultural expectations, mental health, and coping behaviors. It helps me understand how different cultures perceive and address mental health issues can help contextualize my findings within the Chinese setting.

[Last modified: October, 8 2024 03:36 PM]

Topic: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in Chinese Adolescents: An Exploration of Family Dynamics and Cultural Contexts

Research background: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury(NSSI) refers to the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. NSSI is most common among adolescents and young adults, and onset typically occurs around age 13. Previous meta-analyses indicated that factors at family level, for example, trouble parenting style, poor parent-child relationship, adverse family experiences, poor family environment, low parental availability, socioeconomic status, and risk parental personality traits, which may trigger higher risk of an individual’s NSSI behaviors. The NSSI family distress cascade theory indicates a dynamic and reciprocal patterns of influence between parents’ NSSI behaviors and their children’s.

While there’s growing global research on NSSI, there’s less focus on how Chinese family systems and cultural norms specifically influence this behavior.

Research questions:

1. What is the relationship between family systems and adolescent NSSI behavior in China(how do family systems shape Chinese adolescentscharacteristics)?
2. How does the broader socio-cultural context, such as stigmas around mental health, affect the coping mechanisms of Chinese adolescents?
3. How do cultural beliefs around mental health and family honor affect the way adolescents express emotional distress through NSSI?
4. What coping mechanisms are used by adolescents to navigate family pressures, and how do these relate to NSSI behaviors?
5. How do parents and caregivers interpret and respond to NSSI behavior within the cultural context of China?

Method:

Research Design:

Ethnographic Fieldwork: Conduct participant observation and interviews with Chinese adolescents who engage in NSSI, as well as their families.

Interviews/Case-studies: Include semi-structured interviews with adolescents, parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals (if possible).

Data Collection:

Field Site: Select a region or community in China where the study will take place, potentially focusing on urban vs. rural dynamics or socioeconomic differences.

Participants: Adolescents (ages 12-18) who have a history of NSSI and their family members.

Techniques: Participant observation in family settings, analysis of family interactions, and how mental health care is discussed in everyday life.

Data Analysis:

Cultural analysis will be crucial for understanding how Chinese cultural norms (e.g., saving face, familial duty) manifest in family responses to NSSI.

I want to explore how Chinese families attempt to “manage” or “fix” this behavior to restore balance, and investigate how the family system functions to maintain social order, and how behaviors like NSSI might be seen as a disruption to familial harmony.

Ethical Considerations: Adolescents and family members should be fully informed about the research process, and their participation must be voluntary.

Potential findings related and future discussion:  

1. The urban and rural family systems, as expectations and stressors may vary significantly.
2. The cultural stigmas around mental health in Chinese families may contribute to adolescents’ reluctance to seek help or openly discuss emotional distress.
3. The space outside the families, the role of social media or online forums where adolescents may discuss NSSI, potentially offering a new space for identity negotiation or emotional support in the absence of familial understanding.

Reference:

1.  Klonsky ED. The functions of deliberate self-injury: a review of the evidence. Clin Psychol Rev. 2007;27(2):226–239.
2.  Qu, Diyang et al. Non-suicidal self-injury in Chinese population: a scoping review of prevalence, method, risk factors and preventive interventions. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, Volume 37, 100794
3.  Martin J, Bureau J F, Yurkowski K, et al. Family-based risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury: Considering influences of maltreatment, adverse family-life experiences, and parent–child relational risk[J]. Journal of adolescence, 2016, 49: 170-180.
4.  Waals L, Baetens I, Rober P, et al. The NSSI family distress cascade theory[J]. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 2018, 12: 1-6.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 05:57 PM]

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