Evolution of Play and Mentalizing Capacity in the Context of Early Relational Trauma and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy:...

Mentalization refers to an individual's ability to understand their own behaviours and those of others in terms of mental states. Its development is closely linked to a child's early life experiences. For its part, the development of the ability to play is also rooted in the relationship with a secure and supportive caregiver. Some children do not have this opportunity and grow up with a caregiver who repeatedly neglects or abuses them over time. These children may experience early relational trauma (ERT). In that situation, the acquisition of mentalization and play skills may be affected. The aim of this research is to describe the development of mentalization and play processes in children with and without ERT in the context of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PP). To achieve this, data concerning the mentalization processes and play of two children taking part in PP were examined: one child who had experienced ERT and another from the general population. Individual case protocols were used to observe the evolution of these two variables. The number and duration of play segments, as well as the mentalization precursors of the child with ERT, changed over the course of PP, whereas they remained stable for the child in the general population. In children who have experienced ERT, the presence of a non-linear evolution of traumatic play has been observed.