This study attempted to provide validation for Lerner and Lerner's Rorschach Defense Scale by investigating the relationship between primitive defenses as measured by the Rorschach Defense Scale, level of object relations as measured by the Developmental Analysis of the Concept of the Object Scale, and characteristic defensive operations as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. One hundred and twenty undergraduates completed the Rorschach and MMPI, and the RDS and DACOS were applied to their Rorschach responses. The results show a significant positive correlation between use of primitive defenses and level of object relations development -and a significant negative correlation between the defense Projective Identification and MMPI scale 6 (Paranoia) elevation. Overall, these results did not support the validity of the RDS.

The existential dimension has gained importance in health studies in the last decades (Moreira-Almeida & Koenig, 2006; DeMarinis, 2008). Little Swedish research exists in this area. A pilot study was conducted in a suburban Stockholm, Church of Sweden parish. Research question was: “How does the existential dimension of health, understood as the ability to create and maintain a functional meaning-makings system, affect the person’s self-rated health and quality of life?” Theoretical framework included: health research focusing the existential dimension; public health through psychology of religion; and, object-relations theory. The mixed-methods format included semi-structured interviews, and surveys: 1) on meaning-making, and 2) Swedish pilot translation of WHOQOL-SRPB (self-rated health and quality of life including spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs). Central results showed a positive relation between the existential health dimension and: overall ratings of physical, mental, social, and environmental health (p = .008); the overall existential health dimension and mental health (p = .008); and, social health (p = .046) and, the combined health items “How do you feel?” and “How satisfied are you with your health?” (p = .001). These results find support in WHO’s health perspective, and are linked to DeMarinis’ health dimensions and Winnicott’s understanding of potential space. Health dimensions: physical, mental, social, ecological and existential, are closely interlinked. The existential dimension is important through interaction with the others, and through its function as an autonomous health dimension. The study underlines the need for – and offers a culturally-tested method and model to explore existential needs in this secularized context.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

This research builds upon and explores an enigmatic set of experiences which theorists in the Object Relations tradition have characterised as regression to dependence, a return to a primitive, pre-verbal relational process presenting in some clients in psychotherapy. This research is a study of the concept of regression to dependence, its manifestation within the psychotherapy process, and facilitation within the therapeutic relationship. The Psychoanalytic theoretical positions on regression to dependence are explored, together with the Relational/Developmental perspective which recognises regression and its importance within psychotherapy. This exploration seeks to understand the experience of regression to dependence, how regression to dependence can be effectively worked within Integrative Psychotherapy, and makes recommendations for Integrative practitioners and theorists related to effective facilitation of clients, showing how the Relational/Developmental approach can effect repair. The study employs a qualitative methodology. A heuristic study was undertaken in which eleven practicing psychotherapists were interviewed and data was collected via semi-structured interviews. Most participants were interviewed twice, with a view to collecting data on both their personal experience as a client in psychotherapy and also their experiences as practitioners when working with clients who were experiencing regression to dependence. The transcripts from these interviews were analysed for emergent themes. The themes are discussed in the context of and with reference to the Psychoanalytic theoretical position and the Relational/Developmental perspective. An account is offered of how these experiences have come to be understood as recollecting difficulties in early infantile relationships. Reflections are made on the essence and qualities of a therapy that can facilitate regression to dependence in order to promote healing. Recommendations are made for the practice of Integrative Psychotherapy and the training of Integrative Psychotherapists in order to prepare them for this work. These recommendations for therapists include; having sufficient preparation, knowledge and understanding to be able to recognise and work with a regressive process emerging in the client; having an understanding of the need to facilitate this process for some clients; and to be aware of the need for particular adaptations in the therapeutic stance in some circumstances, and the difficulties which may arise. Recommendations are also offered regarding the support needed for the therapist whilst working with this process, which include the need for ongoing personal therapy, and supervision. The researcher’s personal story is an intrinsic part of the research, and as an integral part of this study is in accordance with the heuristic and autoethnographic styles, and with the practice of Integrative Psychotherapy, where the use of self is seen as a crucial clinical tool in the therapeutic process. Throughout this study reflexivity has been used regarding the personal experiences of the researcher as client, therapist and researcher.

L’Urgence négative est un trait caractéristique du trouble de personnalité limite. Cependant ce modèle des traits ne permet pas d’expliquer les variétés des formes d’expression ni le niveau de sévérité de gestes impulsifs, qu’ils soient dirigés contre soi ou contre autrui. L’intégration du modèle des relations d’objet à celui des traits offre une meilleure compréhension de cette variabilité. Dans la théorie des relations d’objet, la diffusion de l’identité est spécifique aux organisations limites de la personnalité. Elle est caractérisée par un manque d’intégration des représentations de soi et d’autrui à cause d’une séparation excessive des affects positifs et négatifs investis dans les images de soi et d’autrui. Elle est associée à un manque d’intégration des structures psychiques du Moi et du Surmoi. Le niveau de l’intégration de l’identité agirait en modulant la relation en un trait d’urgence négative élevé et l’expression des gestes impulsifs. Cette étude, réalisée auprès d’étudiants, était la première à tester une telle hypothèse. Bien qu’elle n’ait pas permis de démontrer une telle relation de modération, compte tenu de certaines limites, il apparaît nécessaire de réévaluer ce modèle modérateur au sein d’un d’échantillon de plus grande taille. / Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by negative Urgency, one of the impulsivity facets. However the model of personality traits can’t explain the varieties of expression and severity of impulsive behaviors which can be directed against self or others in BPD. Integrating the object relations model with the personality traits leads to an improved understanding of this variability. In object relations theory, identity diffusion is specific to borderline organization. It is characterized by a lack of integration of the conceptions of self and others derived from an excessive split between positive and negative affects invested in self and others images. This diffusion is associated with a deficit of Ego and Superego structures. Level of identity integration would modulate the relationship between high negative urgency and the forms and severity of impulsive behaviors. This study is the first to evaluate this hypothesis. Data collected from students sample have not demonstrated any moderating effect because of some limitations in the study. Nevertheless, the Identity diffusion index was as expected negatively correlated with many variables related to impulsivity such as borderline impulsivity (r=-.23), physical aggression (r=-.31), urgency trait (r=-.31) and acting out (r=-30). However, this hypothesis needs to be tested with larger samples.

The thesis examines social cognition and object relations in patients with schizophrenia using Thematic Apperception Test evaluated by SCORS. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with schizophrenia, Thematic Apperception Test and its interpretation systems (especially Westen's SCORS). Attention is also paid to the theoretical background of social cognition and object relations in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study is to verify the assumption that patients with schizophrenia will reach pathological scores in SCORS. The study also explores the relationships between different dimensions of SCORS in this clinical population. The results indicate that patients with schizophrenia have numerous deficits in social cognition and object relations, as measured by SCORS. Significantly lower scores (that belong or are very close to pathology) were found in a total of five SCORS's dimensions. In the remaining three dimensions patients with schizophrenia achieved below-average results. Cross-correlations among SCORS's dimensions and factor analysis results which revealed a three component structure of SCORS in patients with schizophrenia are also discussed. Keywords: Schizophrenia, social cognition, object relations, SCORS, Thematic Apperception Test, correlation analysis, factor analysis.

[pt] O presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar questões acerca do fenômeno esquizoide, principalmente, sua origem, características e alguns desdobramentos na vida psíquica do indivíduo. Para isso, será utilizada a teoria das relações objetais primitivas, com o apoio das formulações teóricas de Fairbairn, Guntrip e Winnicott. As principais contribuições desses três autores serão relacionadas, através do desenvolvimento de uma linha de pensamento que engloba as questões da cisão tripartite do ego de Fairbairn, o retraimento esquizoide segundo Guntrip e a divisão entre verdadeiro e falso self proposta por Winnicott. / [en] This study aims to investigate matters over the schizoid phenomenon, particularly its origins, characteristics and how it unfolds in one’s psychic life. To do so, we have chosen the early object relations theory, with the support of the theoretical formulations led by Fairbairn, Guntrip and Winnicott. The main contributions by these authors will be related through the development of a line of thought involving the matters of the tripartite ego splitting by Fairbairn, Guntrip’s schizoid retreat and the division between the true and false self as proposed by Winnicott.

A experiência vincular, entre o cuidador primário (mãe) e o bebê, no início da vida pós-natal, constitui o contexto da neurogênese, de acordo com os estudos realizados pela Neurociência do Desenvolvimento; e o fundamento do desenvolvimento emocional segundo a teoria do psicanalista Donald W. Winnicott. O objetivo desta pesquisa é aproximar as construções teóricas de autores que estudam diferentes aspectos de uma mesma realidade: as implicações da experiência vincular entre o bebê e o cuidador primário (mãe), que acontecem nas etapas iniciais do desenvolvimento humano, no processo de inter-relação psique-soma considerada a base do desenvolvimento emocional do ser humano. Essas construções pertencem a uma linha de pesquisa em neurociência do desenvolvimento e outra em psicanálise, representada pela teoria de Donald W. Winnicott, sobre os primórdios do desenvolvimento. Considerando-se que o presente trabalho é um estudo teórico-reflexivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica. As conclusões têm o objetivo de fundamentar um conhecimento que possa ampliar a compreensão dos fatores que interferem no desenvolvimento do ser humano, no início da vida pós-natal, que podem ser responsáveis pelo aparecimento de psicopatologias em etapas futuras do ciclo vital. Enfatizam a necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção precoce na relação mãe-bebê, em programas de assistência à infância, reforçando a importância da psicologia preventiva na proteção do desenvolvimento humano. / The bonding experience between the primary carer (Mother) and the baby, at the start of the post-natal life, forms the context of neurogenesis, according to studies carried out by Developmental Neuroscience; and is also the basis of emotional development, according to the theory of psychoanalyst Donald W. Winnicott. The objective of this study is to investigate the technical constructions of authors who study different aspects of the same reality: the implications of the bonding experience between the baby and the primary carer (mother), which take place in the initial stages of human development, in the process of the interrelation between psyche and soma, which is considered to be the basis for the emotional development the human being. These constructions belong to a line of research in developmental neuroscience, and another in psychoanalysis, represented by the theory of Donald W. Winnicott on the beginnings of development. Considering that this work is a theoretical-reflective study, a bibliographic review was carried out. The conclusions seek to support a knowledge that can further understanding of the factors which influence human development, at the start of the post-natal life, and which may be responsible for the appearance of psychopathologies in future stages of the vital cycle. They also emphasize the need for the development of strategies of early intervention in the relationship between mother and baby, in infant care programs, reinforcing the importance of preventative psychology in the protection of human development.

This work aims to explore the phenomenon of play in detail and classify its relationship to artistic activity and education. As its starting point it uses the paradigm of general and developmental psychology with an emphasis on the formal and functional definition of the term play. This theoretical background will then be widened by- and confronted with the viewpoint of the depth psychology. The theories of the depth psychology will explain the connotations between the play, personality, imagination, and creativity more in depth. The main sources of this work will then be the works of the main representatives of the object relations theory. Due to their focus on early personality development they will help with uncovering where, when and which phenomena connected to artistic activity take place and their influence on human mentality. In this work's conclusion, based on the theories of the general and depth psychology, the foundations for didactic strategies of art education and art psychologists will be proposed, which arise from these theories. These foundations will, finally, be confronted with specialist literature about current approaches to arts education.

The cruelty of Military Police guards at Abu Ghraib prison contributed to American shame and questions regarding how such cruelty emerges. The accepted approach of "situational attribution theory" - based upon Zimbardo's (1973, 2007) social psychological perceptions and results of the Stanford Prison Experiment - proposed that personality or "disposition" has little role in the emergence of such cruelty. Termed "institutional cruelty," this manuscript presents the possibility that understandings and preventive measures afforded by situational attribution theory can be extended via acknowledgement of a greater role played by disposition. Psychoanalytic and object relations approaches are presented to this end. The manuscript addresses the most puzzling characteristics of institutional cruelty: 1) rapidity of onset, taking days or, at most, weeks for initial expression, 2) emergence in ordinary, normal individuals, and 3) emergence in the "mock" situation of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Criminological, organizational culture, and social psychological theories are explored for their application to institutional cruelty. / by Paul Hofacker. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography and footnotes. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.