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"Irreconcilable differences" between parent and child: a case report of interactional pathology
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|October 1, 1978
Summary
Parents may project their own negative impulses onto children, seeking diagnoses rather than treatment. Children often internalize these negative perceptions, impacting their development despite initial good adjustment.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Parental projection
- Mental health diagnostics
Background:
- Examines parental psychological dynamics where children are perceived as extensions of parental unacceptable impulses.
- Highlights parental motivation for seeking diagnostic confirmation over therapeutic intervention.
Observation:
- Parents seeking mental health services may project negative traits onto their children.
- Contradictory evidence is often disregarded by parents to maintain psychological equilibrium.
- Children may conform to parental negative perceptions despite positive early development.
Findings:
- Parental projection can lead to children internalizing negative self-perceptions.
- The pursuit of diagnostic labels by parents can override treatment needs.
- Children's adjustment is significantly influenced by parental psychological states.
Implications:
- Discusses the ethical and legal responsibilities of mental health professionals in such cases.
- Underscores the potential for psychological harm to children due to parental projection.
- Suggests a need for nuanced therapeutic approaches addressing parental dynamics and child well-being.
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