[Development promoting environment--contributing factors in inpatient psychotherapy of children and adolescents]

Frame conditions especially in stationary psychotherapy with children and adolescents have the function of development-conducive 'play-pens'. As spaces which can be actively formed they offer room to make new experiences, but also serve as limits and friction surfaces with supporting ego-functions. Regarding the developmental phase of adolescence they also serve adolescents in their conflicts with parental authorities in the process of detaching and spiritualization and depersonalization of super-ego structures. Concerning various disorders adequately formed 'play-pens' also fulfill further specific therapeutic functions: Bordering functions for youths near psychoses, containing functions for borderline disorders and trianguling functions for youths who have disorders in detaching and individualizing.