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Related Experiment Videos

Is there life without mother?

L Shengold

    The Psychoanalytic Quarterly
    |August 24, 2000
    PubMed
    Summary

    Children with histories of abuse or deprivation may develop a lifelong compulsive need to identify with and submit to early parental figures. This complex dynamic involves managing intense hatred and sadomasochistic conflicts to maintain an internal connection to the parent for survival.

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    Area of Science:

    • Child psychology
    • Psychoanalytic theory
    • Developmental psychopathology

    Background:

    • Children experiencing abuse or deprivation often form intense attachments to parental figures.
    • Early childhood experiences significantly shape adult psychological functioning and relational patterns.
    • Understanding these early dynamics is crucial for addressing long-term mental health challenges.

    Observation:

    • Clinical and literary case studies reveal a persistent compulsive need in some adults to submit to and identify with their earliest parental figures.
    • This identification is particularly noted in individuals with histories of childhood abuse and deprivation.
    • The intensity of these early bonds can persist throughout life, influencing adult behavior and relationships.

    Findings:

    • The core finding is the enduring intrapsychic struggle to maintain connection with a parental figure, even when survival is threatened by intense, ambivalent feelings.
    • Children may develop sadomasochistic fantasies, feelings, and actions as a mechanism to "hold on" to the parental figure internally and externally.
    • These internal conflicts can become a dominant force in the individual's psychological landscape, impacting their overall life trajectory.

    Implications:

    • These findings highlight the profound and lasting impact of early childhood trauma on personality development and adult relationships.
    • Therapeutic interventions may need to address these deeply ingrained patterns of identification and submission to facilitate healthier psychological integration.
    • Further research into the long-term effects of such early dynamics can inform clinical practice and support strategies for vulnerable populations.

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