‘‘What are you?’’ A recurring question in a cross-cultural psychiatrist’s life and career

Abstract

This article contributes to the Transcultural Psychiatry special issue of autobiographical articles on: ‘‘The Personal and the Professional: Lives and Careers of Cultural Psychiatrists.’’ The author describes influences and themes in her professional development as a cross-cultural psychiatrist and academic. Growing up as a part-Chinese, part-white child in rural Midwestern America resulted in frequently being asked: ‘‘What are you?’’ This abrupt, bald, but essential question eventually became a useful tool in the productive, repeated re-working of identity, values, and goals throughout her personal and professional life. Experiences of being an outsider, family histories, and early observations of racism are linked to later interests in cross-cultural psychiatry, ethics, and the protection of vulnerable populations. She describes her research on cross-cultural measurement, depression, suicidality, domestic violence and violence in war. Issues of career advancement and internal conflict are described for women academics who occupy three simultaneous, primary roles: academic, doctor and mother. The theme of ‘‘crossing,’’ as in ‘‘cross-cultural,’’ indicates the effort and intention required to move between races, cultures, classes, intellectual disciplines, personal and professional identities, clinical and academic roles, and social roles allocated to men and women.