Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
06:39
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Pregnancy, miscarriage and abortion. A psychoanalytic perspective.
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Unconscious psychological conflicts can influence maternal ambivalence, potentially leading to spontaneous or planned abortion. These abortions may offer a psychosomatic resolution for unresolved anxieties related to pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Maternal ambivalence towards the fetus is a common aspect of pregnancy.
- Unresolved psychological conflicts from earlier developmental stages can impact pregnancy experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore unconscious psychological factors contributing to unfulfilled pregnancies.
- To examine the role of maternal ambivalence and early life conflicts in abortion decisions.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of psychological factors.
- Exploration of unconscious motivations in pregnancy outcomes.
Main Results:
- Unconscious conflicts significantly influence maternal ambivalence during pregnancy.
- Abortion (spontaneous or planned) can serve as a psychosomatic solution to psychic conflict.
Conclusions:
- Psychosomatic resolutions for pregnancy conflicts are influenced by unconscious factors.
- Understanding early life anxieties is crucial for addressing unfulfilled pregnancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality
The psychodynamic perspective in psychology asserts that most personality functions operate unconsciously, outside of awareness. This means that the motives and emotions driving behavior often remain hidden, automatically buried in the unconscious mind as a defense mechanism to shield us from psychological distress. According to this theory, the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are too disturbing to face directly.
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
01:29Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory
Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory revolutionized psychology by introducing the idea that unconscious forces significantly shape human behavior. According to Freud, every psychological event is driven by deep-seated internal forces, often formed during early childhood. His theory, built on the premises of psychic determinism, symbolic meaning, and unconscious motivation, offers a unique perspective on the complexities of human behavior.
Freud's concept of psychic determinism asserts that...
Freud's concept of psychic determinism asserts that...
01:26Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Anal
Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development describes the anal stage as occurring between 18 months and three years of age. During this period, children derive pleasure from controlling and releasing their bowel movements. However, they quickly learn that societal expectations impose restrictions on when and where this can happen. This stage marks a critical point where children begin to develop a sense of control and mastery over their bodily functions, as well as their broader...
01:12Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Phallic
The third stage of psychosexual development proposed by Freud is the phallic stage, occurring between the ages of 3 and 6. During this period, children become aware of their bodies and the differences between males and females. The erogenous zone in this stage is the genitals, and conflicts arise as children develop desires toward the opposite-sex parent. Boys experience the Oedipus complex, where they desire their mother and view their father as a rival. This leads to castration anxiety, the...
01:14Psychosexual Theory of Development
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory of development suggests that early childhood experiences significantly shape personality and behavior. Freud proposed that development is discontinuous, occurring in five distinct stages, each defined by a focus on different erogenous zones. He believed that failure to resolve the conflicts specific to each stage successfully could result in fixation, potentially influencing behavior as adults.
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...