This study was undertaken to help determine the usefulness of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for providing information regarding a person's object relations. Subjects were 136 college students (56 males, 80 females) ranging in age from 18 to 48. Subjects were administered the Rorschach, the Self Object Scale (SOS), and the MMPI. The Rorschach was scored using Blatt, Brenneis, Schimek, and Glick's (1976a) manual for scoring the level of object relations (Developmental Analysis of the Concept of the Object Scale-DACOS), the SOS scored as Blatt, Chevron, Quinlan, and Wein's manual (1981) directs, and the MMPI scored in the standardized manner using college-age norms. MANOVA's on the SOS and the DACOS resulted in significant effects for sex on MMPI scales 6, 7, and 8. Sex differences on MMPI scales 6 and 4 were obtained for high/low level of object relations on the DACOS. Pearson correlations showed positive correlations for males between level of object relations on the SOS and MMPI scale 5, and negative correlations on MMPI scale 5 for females. For males positive correlations between the DACOS and MMPI scale 4 and negative correlations on MMPI scale 10 were noted. These results were discussed as pertaining to the socialization of males and females. The most puzzling finding was the lack of correlation between the DACOS and the SOS. This was discussed as possibly being a result of the effect of the Rorschach, which measures psychopathology, whereas the SOS may be a purer measure of object relations. The paucity and weakness of the results was attributed to the restricted variance of the population. Implications for future research included obtaining a larger sample from a normal population, establishing clear norms for object eolations measures, obtaining correlations between a measure of current functioning and the object relations measures as a step toward establishing cut-off scores for groups on the measures, and further exploration of the weights in the scoring categories "of Blatt's DACOS scale.

Object representations of sexually abused girls were compared to those of a clinical control group with no history of maltreatment. In addition, girls subjected to sexual abuse by itself were compared with girls who were sexually abused in conjunction with physical abuse and/or neglect (i.e., multiply abused). TAT stories were analyzed using the Object Relations and Social Cognition Scale which assesses four dimensions of object relations. It was hypothesized that sexually abused children would manifest more general and highly pathognomic impairment than controls along four dimensions of object relations. It was also hypothesized that multiple abuse would be associated with more general and highly pathognomic impairment in object relations than sexual abuse by itself.

This study compared the social cognition and object relations of 39 physically abused children to a clinical group of 39 children with no recorded history of abuse.

This thesis attempts to explicate the manifestation of suicidal behavior in latency age children based on developmental object relations theory. It asserts that the susceptibility to suicidal behavior becomes part of the child's developing ego organization during the first three years of life as the result of deviant or distorted emotional development. These disturbances interfere with the normal internalizing processes of the separation individuation phases, including the development of psychological mechanisms. To accomplish the purpose of the study, the thesis generally classifies object relations theory within the parameters of developmental psychopathology and specifically classifies it as a component of contemporary psychodynamic theory. Then follows an exposition of the separation individuation process and attendant development of psychological mechanisms in normal and disturbed development. This section concludes by identifying the normally developing child around thirty-six months of age as possessing the capacity to unite disparate self and object images into a single, whole person for appropriate self comfort, self-image formation, and self-esteem regulation through having received primarily gratifying interactions with caregivers. The child with disturbed development lacks this capacity because of the internalization of primarily negative object-images through primarily negative interactions with caregivers. The child lacks trust in itself and in others, tends to perceive itself and others as all-good or all-bad, and experiences hostility and depression. A definition of latency and a description of this developmental stage follows. Cognitive development marked by secondary thought processes and reliance upon dynamic psychological mechanisms--ego defenses--to sustain a behavioral and emotional equilibrium, rather than a diminution of drives, permit latency to become established. As part of the structure of latency, fantasy serves a defensive and adaptive function by providing an outlet for drive expression and for mastery of situations intrapsychically. Children with disturbances in ego organization have a less established structure of latency than do normal children, that is, they rely to a greater extent on psychological mechanisms characteristic of the separation-individuation phases. A review of empirical and clinical research of suicidal children encompasses family environment; loss, depression, and hopelessness; cognitive functioning; and defense mechanisms. Suicidal children live in stressful, chaotic families with confused role relationships. Findings regarding the relationships among loss, depression, and hopelessness appear mixed although integrally related. Suicidal children conceive of impersonal death as final while construing personal death as reversible as a defensive maneuver. Suicidal fantasies constitute the precursors to suicidal planning and actions. Suicidal children show impaired ability to devise active coping strategies. They seem to rely excessively on ego defenses considered developmentally appropriate in early stages of development, such as introjection. A synthesis of theoretical formulations and research findings sets forth the developmental sequence culminating in suicidal behavior. The model depicts a child's developing ego organization predisposed to depression, hostility, and low self-esteem caused by the internalization of a predominance of negative self- and object-images. It portrays susceptibility to suicidal behavior through the incapacity to exercise self-protection under stressful situations because of a reliance upon maladaptive ego defenses. Fantasies to relieve psychic pain as part of latency defenses transform into fantasies of suicide; these presage and allow for planning and, given the failure of ego defenses, suicidal behavior results.

No description available.

Text in Afrikaans / During her theoretical training as an educational psychologist, the researcher became acquainted with the relations theory. The researcher became aware of the fact that persons who have experienced psychological trauma, commonly practice irrational inner dialogue/self talk. From her own experience, it also became clear that traumatized persons deal with their trauma more effectively when they have good relations with others. Due to the fact that these aspects are significant aspects of the relations theory, the researcher began to wonder whether this theory could possibly be of value in therapy with traumatized persons. On the basis of a qualitative study of limited scope, it was found that, with certain reservations, the educational psychological relations theory could be a workable theory in therapy and that relations therapy could make a valuable contribution to the success of therapy with traumatized persons. / In die loop van haar teoretiese opleiding as opvoedkundige sielkundige het die navorser kennis gemaak met die relasieteorie. Die navorser het bewus geword van die feit dat mense wat 'n sielkundige trauma in hulle lewens beleef het, oor die algemeen irrasionele selfspraak beoefen. Na aanleiding van haar eie ervaring, het dit ook duidelik geword dat getraumatiseerde persone meer effekttef deur hulle trauma kan werk indien hulle relasies toereikend is. Omdat hierdie aspekte juis baie gewig dra in die relasieteorie, het die navorser begin wonder of die relasieteorie nie moontlik van waarde kan wees in terapie met getraumatiseerdes nie. Op grond van 'n kwaiitatiewe studie van beperkte omvang is daar bevind dat, met sekere voorbehoude, die opvoedkundig-sielkundige relasieteorie wel 'n werkbare teorie in terapie kan wees en dat relasieterapie 'n waardevolle bydrae tot die sukses van terapie met getraumatiseerdes kan iewer. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Text in Afrikaans / During her theoretical training as an educational psychologist, the researcher became acquainted with the relations theory. The researcher became aware of the fact that persons who have experienced psychological trauma, commonly practice irrational inner dialogue/self talk. From her own experience, it also became clear that traumatized persons deal with their trauma more effectively when they have good relations with others. Due to the fact that these aspects are significant aspects of the relations theory, the researcher began to wonder whether this theory could possibly be of value in therapy with traumatized persons. On the basis of a qualitative study of limited scope, it was found that, with certain reservations, the educational psychological relations theory could be a workable theory in therapy and that relations therapy could make a valuable contribution to the success of therapy with traumatized persons. / In die loop van haar teoretiese opleiding as opvoedkundige sielkundige het die navorser kennis gemaak met die relasieteorie. Die navorser het bewus geword van die feit dat mense wat 'n sielkundige trauma in hulle lewens beleef het, oor die algemeen irrasionele selfspraak beoefen. Na aanleiding van haar eie ervaring, het dit ook duidelik geword dat getraumatiseerde persone meer effekttef deur hulle trauma kan werk indien hulle relasies toereikend is. Omdat hierdie aspekte juis baie gewig dra in die relasieteorie, het die navorser begin wonder of die relasieteorie nie moontlik van waarde kan wees in terapie met getraumatiseerdes nie. Op grond van 'n kwaiitatiewe studie van beperkte omvang is daar bevind dat, met sekere voorbehoude, die opvoedkundig-sielkundige relasieteorie wel 'n werkbare teorie in terapie kan wees en dat relasieterapie 'n waardevolle bydrae tot die sukses van terapie met getraumatiseerdes kan iewer. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

TAT stories and demographic information of 30 violent and 30 nonviolent juvenile delinquents were obtained. Institutional assessment records at Dallas County Juvenile Department (DCJD) served as the data base for this study. TAT stories and demographic information of 30 violent and 30 nonviolent juvenile delinquents were obtained. Institutional assessment records at Dallas County Juvenile Department (DCJD) served as the data base for this study. Differences with respect to object relations functioning between juveniles charged with two categories of index offenses: property offenses and aggravated assault were examined. Object relations were assessed utilizing a scoring system designed for use with the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The scoring system encompasses a psychoanalytic perspective and consists of four dimensions representing separate but interrelated aspects of object relations. It was hypothesized that juvenile delinquents who commit violent crimes would exhibit lower object relations functioning as compared to juvenile delinquents who commit nonviolent crimes.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Religion)--Vanderbilt University, May 2007. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Tennessee Williams is a playwright of great psychological depth. This thesis probes some of the complexities of his work through the use of Object Relational Psychoanalysis, specifically employing the theories of Melanie Klein, W.R.D. Fairbairn and Donald Winnicott. The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana are analysed from this theoretical stance. All of these plays display great perceptiveness into the human condition, accurately portraying many psychological relational themes. Certain Object Relational themes become very apparent in these analyses. These themes include, Dependency (especially in The Glass Menagerie), Reparation (particularly in A Streetcar Named Desire), Falsehood (notably in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Idealisation (evident in The Night of The Iguana), Honest Empathetic Relations (apparent in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Night of The Iguana) as well as Guilt, Object Loss, Sexual Guilt, and Obligation (recurring throughout these plays). It is advanced that Williams’ plays posses an honest and insightful understanding of human relations and, as such, are of contemporary value. This Thesis is not only an academic study, but also has practical applications for dramatists. With an increased understanding of the intrinsic tensions and motivations within such plays, offered by such psychoanalytic strategy, performance and staging of such work may be enhanced valuably.