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Current conceptualizations on masochism: genesis and object relations
1Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303-3083.
American Journal of Psychotherapy
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Masochism, defined as self-defeating love and individuation, offers valuable clinical insights. Understanding masochistic personality, its origins, and object choices clarifies complex relational patterns in psychotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Masochism is a complex and controversial term in psychotherapy.
- A redefinition of masochism as a self-defeating pattern of loving and individuation enhances its clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the literature on masochism's definition, scope, and relevance.
- Provide a clinical overview of the masochistic personality.
- Explore the etiology and object choices in masochism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review.
- Descriptive clinical analysis.
- Etiological and object relations discussion.
Main Results:
- Masochistic object relations involve seeking fusion and healing narcissistic injury.
- Masochists often choose idealized, unloving partners, frequently with borderline or narcissistic traits.
- These relationships initially offer symbiosis but later replicate childhood environments.
Conclusions:
- Masochism, when understood as a self-defeating relational pattern, remains a crucial clinical construct.
- Understanding masochistic object choice is key to addressing self-defeating relationship dynamics.
- The etiology involves early experiences influencing later partner selection and relational patterns.
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