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Adolescent character formation and psychoanalytic theory

J B McCarthy1

  • 1St. John's University, USA.

American Journal of Psychoanalysis
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Psychoanalytic theories of adolescent development, including Freudian, interpersonal, and object relations, emphasize relatedness and dissociation. Freud

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Freudian psychoanalytic theories posit an alliance between analyst and adolescent patient, focusing on defenses and drive fixations.
  • Interpersonal and object relations theories offer alternative perspectives on adolescent character formation, emphasizing the role of relationships.
  • Key theorists like Sullivan, Fairbairn, and Winnicott highlighted the significance of interpersonal relatedness in shaping character.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically appraise psychoanalytical models of adolescent development.
  • To explore the confluence of different psychoanalytical clinical theories.
  • To examine Freud's case of Dora as an illustration of adolescent adjustment challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Review and critical appraisal of Freudian, interpersonal, and object relations theories of adolescence.
  • Analysis of theoretical differences and commonalities among Sullivan, Fairbairn, and Winnicott.
  • Case study analysis of Freud's treatment of Dora.

Main Results:

  • Interpersonal and object relations theories, while differing, all stressed the importance of relatedness in character formation.
  • Dissociative processes are identified as crucial defensive operations in adolescent development across these theories.
  • Freud's case of Dora exemplifies the difficulties adolescents face in adjusting during periods of developmental and family turmoil.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescent character development is significantly influenced by interpersonal relationships and internal representations, not solely by libidinal fixations.
  • Dissociation plays a critical role in adolescent ego development, manifesting as ego splitting, the 'bad me,' or the 'false self'.
  • The case of Dora underscores the precariousness of adolescent adjustment and the complex interplay of psychoanalytical models in clinical practice.

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