Chinese Subjectivity

Psychoanalytic Approaches to Chinese Experience

Overview

A sustained line of research investigating Chinese subjectivity through psychoanalytic theory — from the formation of the unconscious in specific cultural-historical conditions to the contemporary psychoanalytic scene in China. This line encompasses the doctoral dissertation, ongoing publication work, and the Chinese Psychoanalytic Scene (CPS) Substack (850+ subscribers, launched 2024, regular publishing from 2025).

Dissertation

The Drifting Subject

PsyaD · Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis · Proposal completed May 2026

Using Laplanche's general theory of seduction to investigate Chinese subjectivity. Six layers of "growth rings" — tradition, colonial modernity, revolutionary trauma, family, capitalism, state — each depositing enigmatic messages that the subject must translate. The argument centres on refusal to translate as a mode of subject formation: defensive refusal ("not this"), creative refusal (finding one's own codes), and the mourning required to move between them.

The dissertation proposal was completed in May 2026. Writing is at its earliest stage. The publications listed below are independent research — they inform the broader project but are not dissertation chapters.

Publications

Published

published Erika First Prize 2024 Qiao, X. (2025). Deprivation and disruption: The development of narcissistic vulnerability and toxic masculinity in some Chinese contexts. Psychoanalysis, Self and Context, 20(2), 237–253. DOI → Clinical
published Qiao, X. (2025). Gaming the unconscious: The relational and social unconscious in a contemporary Chinese case study. Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in China, 8(1–2), 14–24. DOI → Clinical
published Qiao, X. (2025). The role of social media in shaping mental health discourse: A case study of China's psychoanalysis and counselling narratives. Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in China, 8(1–2), 115–125. DOI
published Qiao, X. (2024). Mother archetypes in Chinese cultural narratives: A psychoanalytic perspective. Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in China, 7(1–2), 139–153. DOI

Forthcoming

forthcoming LGBTQ+ Outstanding Trainee Paper 2026 Qiao, X. Ghostly Persistence: Disavowal, Remainder, and the Indigestible Queer Subject in China. Journal of LGBTQ+ Mental Health. → Queer
forthcoming Qiao, X. Oedipal Variations in Chinese Luoshan Motif. Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in China.

Invited

invited Qiao, X. Confusion of Tongues in the Chinese Context. Psychoanalytic Inquiry (journal commission).

In Progress

in progress Shidafu and Narcissistic Structure (士大夫与自恋结构). Depth hermeneutics; Kohut's selfobject theory. Reading the shidafu position as a narcissistic regulation structure.
in progress Coming Out as Translational Rupture: Refusal, Separation, and the Queer Subject in China → Queer

Professional Publications

professional Qiao, X. (2026). Between Worlds: A Chinese Analyst's Journey. Room: A Sketchbook for Analytic Action.
professional Qiao, X. (2025). Between Two Names. The American Psychoanalyst.

Awards

award 2024 Erika Schmidt Essay Prize (First Prize), Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute — Toxic Masculinity
award 2026 Outstanding Trainee Paper Award, Journal of LGBTQ+ Mental Health — Ghostly Persistence → Queer

Presentations

2026 Understanding Chinese Subjectivity: Growth Rings, Psychoanalytic Development, and Clinical Implications. British Psychoanalytic Foundation (BPF) (forthcoming)
2026 Cultural Sensitivity in Psychoanalytic Education. Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
2024 Narcissistic Vulnerability and Toxic Masculinity. Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute