[The child of divorce as collusive partner substitute]

For children the parental divorce creates a risk for their psychological development. When referred to the child psychiatrist because of their conduct disorder these children are often compared by their custodial parents with the absent parent. As a clinically useful concept the concept of collusive partner substitute can explain the underlying intrapsychic as well as the interpersonal defense mechanisms. With reference to a case report the author demonstrates how a collusive dyadic relationship of the parents which ends because of divorce may continue with the help of the child in the role of a collusive partner substitute.