Love Relations of the Heterosexual Couple

In this talk, I want to convey some of the psychoanalytic understanding of sexual love—the loving relationship of a couple—that a number of researchers, clinicians, and theoreticians in various countries have achieved regarding what keeps a couple together and what tends to separate them. I've been influenced by my own study of personality disorders and by my work in recent years in treating couples in serious conflict, as well as by the psychoanalytic literature. The subject is so vast that I have to concentrate on just one aspect of it. Ill talk about the dynamics of the love relations of the heterosexual couple. Ill try to highlight what we know by describing how I would apply this knowledge concretely in dealing with a couple, hoping that the general theory will emerge from this description. It's an experiment; I hope it goes well

The Polish community in Scotland

Before 1939 there had been some Polish settlement in Scotland, but the members were too few in number to organise themselves on a national basis. After the defeat of the 1830-31 `Powstanie Listopadowe' (the November Rising) some members of the `Wielka Emigracja' decided to settle in Scotland. Next, following the defeat of the 1863-64 `Powstanie Styczniowe' (the January Rising), there was a migration to Scotland with both economic and political motivations. Most of the men found employment either in coal-mining or in the iron and steel industries mainly in Lanarkshire. These `Poles' (who were mostly ethnic Lithuanians) had to overcome the opposition of the organised labour movement as well as anti-Catholicism and anti-alienism. By 1939 the members of the `economic emigration' had become `assimilated' into Scottish society. The defeat of Poland in September, 1939, by Germany and the Soviet Union caused Poles to escape to France where a new Polish government in exile was formed led by President Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz and Prime Minister General Wladyslaw Sikorski. General Sikorski led the re-organisation of the Polish Armed Forces with the financial and material assistance of France and Britain. Following the defeat of France, during June and July, 1940, the Polish government in exile, some 20,000 Polish servicemen and some 3,000 Polish civilian refugees were evacuated to Britain. General Sikorski received the support of Churchill and could reform Polish Army, Air Force and Navy units in the United Kingdom and the Near East. The Polish First Army Corps was organised in Scotland. When the war in Europe ended in May, 1945, the Corps comprised the First Armoured Division, the First Independent Paratroop Brigade, the Fourth Infantry Division (incomplete), the Sixteenth Independent Armoured Brigade (also incomplete) and administrative and training centres. During the war many Polish servicemen and civilians were befriended by hospitable Scottish people. The British authorities and the Polish government in London created a `support society' for Poles, including education and welfare facilities. Both the location of Polish units and institutions during wartime and the knowledge which Poles acquired of life in Scotland significantly influenced post-war settlement. For Poland the outcome of the war was `defeat in victory'. The decisions taken at the Teheran Conference (28 November to 1 December, 1943) and the Yalta Conference (4 to 11 February, 1945) prevented many Polish servicement and civilians from returning to their homeland. On 5 July, 1945, the governments of Britain and the U.S.A. ceased to recognise the Polish government in London and recognised the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity in Warsaw. Despite the participation of the former Prime Minister of the government in London, Stanislaw Mikolajczyk, this new `government' in Poland was dominated by Stalin's Communist agents and their allies. Between 1945 and 1951 the Polish community in Scotland was formed against a background of increasing political terror in Poland. Initially, there was strong opposition in many parts of Scotland to the proposed settlement of Poles. Many people in Britain did not understand that Poland was under the control of the Soviet Union. The `elections' of 19 January, 1947, by which the Communist `Polska Partia Robotnicza' (Polish Worker's Party) and their allies seized power, finally made the position of the Polish settlers in Scotland secure. After the victory of the Labour Party in the British General Election in July, 1945, the Labour government, led by Clement Attlee, `inherited' the Interim Treasury Committee for Polish Questions which had been formed by the previous government led by Churchill with the aim of gradually closing down the institutions of the Polish government in exile. Instead, the machinery of the Interim Treasury Committee was used for the welfare of Polish civilian refugees in Britain, the Middle East, British East Africa and other countries. As the relationship between Britain and the Soviet Union worsened, the British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin had to face the consequences of the failure of Stalin to honour the promises given at Teheran, Yalta and Potsdam regarding Poland. In order to place Poles in employment in Britain without serious opposition from the trades unions, the Labour government instituted a policy of controlled resettlement through the Polish Resettlement Corps, the Polish Resettlement Act of 27 March, 1947, and the European Volunteer Workers scheme. Above all, Polish servicemen under British command, their families, dependants and other civilian refugees were used to provide manpower for essential undermanned industries, such as agriculture, coal-mining, textiles and the building trades. The War Office transferred the majority of Polish service personnel who refused to return to Poland from their service areas to England and Wales for service in the Polish Resettlement Corps and demobilisation into civilian life. By 1951 the basis for the Polish community in Scotland had been formed with many institutions and organisations to replace the wartime `support society'. Most exiled Poles believed that the Soviet Union would be defeated by the Western democracies and that in a few years they would return to their liberated homeland. The majority of Poles in Scotland settled in areas with good employment opportunities. Between 1951 and 1961 the Polish community in Scotland became permanently established with major centres of settlement in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Falkirk and Kirkcaldy. After the removal of many of the worst features of `Stalinism' in Poland after October, 1956, the defeat of the Hungarian Uprising convinced most exiled Poles that Poland would not be liberated either by a national revolt or by intervention by the Western democracies. In addition, many Poles in Scotland lost interest in community life because of the disputes among the exile political and military leadership in London, which resulted in a major crisis during 1954 causing the creation of two factions, namely the `Zamek' supporting President August Zaleski and the `Zjednoczenie' whose aim was to remove him. These disputes contributed towards disunity in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Falkirk, leading to the creation of alternative social centres in opposition to the pro-`Zjednoczenie' Polish Ex-Combatants' Association (`Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantó' or S.P.K.) and their `Domy Kombatanta'. The S.P.K. also lost popularity because of their opposition to visits by exiled Poles to Poland following the reforms after October, 1956. Fortunately, these disputes proved short-lived. Wladyslaw Gomulka and his successor, Edward Gierek, failed to give the Polish nation genuine political, economic or cultural freedom. Many exiled Poles in Scotland continued to support community institutions, such as the Polish Parish, and often returned to participate in organised community life after long absences. While many Poles became `assimilated' into Scottish society (mainly through marriage to Scottish women and isolation from fellow-Poles), in 1990 there are active Polish communities in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Dundee and Kirkcaldy. With a large number of members of the `second generation' involved in community activities than in other Polish centres in Scotland, the Poles in Glasgow are probably the most active

Modifications à la psychothérapie focalisée sur le transfert (PFT) pour le traitement des adolescents avec une identité diffuse

Cet article présente une version modifiée de la psychothérapie focalisée sur le transfert (PFT) appliquée aux adolescents démontrant une identité diffuse. Cette méthode a déjà démontré son efficacité auprès d’adultes souffrant d’importants problèmes de diffusion de l’identité. Nous signalons l’importance de distinguer la crise identitaire normale à l’adolescence de la diffusion de l’identité, afin de bien repérer les adolescents qui pourraient bénéficier de ce traitement. Les principales modifications apportées à la PFT pour s’adapter aux adolescents impliquent divers changements : des changements quant à la fréquence et à la durée de certaines techniques particulières (par exemple une clarification accrue ; une plus grande attention aux relations extra-transférentielles avant d’aborder directement le transfert), des changements quant aux tactiques (par exemple l’inclusion de la famille à l’étape de l’évaluation et dans le contrat qui établit les phases de traitement, l’inclusion d’interventions de soutien dans le milieu tout en gardant la position analytique au cours des séances), des changements quant aux stratégies (par exemple tenter de lever les blocages qui nuisent au développement normal de l’intégration de l’identité, plutôt que de « forcer la maturation »). Le traitement vise à améliorer les relations de l’adolescent avec ses amis, ses parents et ses professeurs ; à clarifier ses objectifs dans la vie ; à acquérir une estime de lui-même et à être mieux préparé à s’investir dans les relations amoureuses.This paper is an introduction to a treatment for adolescents with identity diffusion that has been modified from a therapy that has been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with significant identity diffusion, namely, Transference Focused Psychotherapy. The central role of differentiating normal Identity Crisis from Identity Diffusion in adolescents, essential to accurately identifying those adolescents appropriate for this treatment, is articulated. The primary modifications of TFP for adolescent treatment described involve changes in frequency and duration of some of the specific techniques (e.g. increased clarification ; more work in the extra-transferential relationships before directly addressing the transference), tactics (e.g. inclusion of family during the assessment phase and treatment contract setting phases of treatment ; inclusion of supportive interventions in the environment while maintaining the analytic stance in sessions), and strategies (e.g. the goal of removing blockages to the development of normal identity integration, not "forced maturation"). This treatment aims to improve adolescent’s relationships with friends, parents, and teachers ; help clarify life goals ; acquire positive self-esteem ; and be better prepared for entering love relation ships.Este artículo presenta una versión modificada de la psicoterapia focalizada en la transferencia (PFT) aplicada en los adolescentes que presentan una identidad difusa. Este método ya ha demostrado su eficacia en los adultos con importantes problemas de difusión de la identidad. Señalamos la importancia de hacer la distinción entre la crisis de identidad normal en la adolescencia y la difusión de la identidad, a fin de localizar bien a los adolescentes que podrían beneficiarse con este tratamiento. Las principales modificaciones aportadas a la PFT para adaptarse a los adolescentes descritos implican diversos cambios: cambios en cuanto a la frecuencia y duración de ciertas técnicas particulares (por ejemplo, una clarificación aumentada; una mayor atención a las relaciones extra-transferenciales antes de abordar directamente la transferencia), los cambios en cuanto a las tácticas (por ejemplo, la inclusión de la familia en la etapa de la evaluación y en el contrato que establece las fases del tratamiento, la inclusión de intervenciones de apoyo en el medio al mismo tiempo que se mantiene la posición analítica en el curso de las sesiones), los cambios en cuanto a las estrategias (por ejemplo, intentar remover los bloqueos que perjudican el desarrollo normal de la integración de la identidad, en lugar de “forzar la maduración”). El tratamiento busca mejorar las relaciones del adolescente con sus amigos, padres y profesores; clarificar sus objetivos en la vida; adquirir una estima de sí mismo y estar mejor preparado para comprometerse en las relaciones amorosas.Este artigo apresenta uma versão modificada da psicoterapia focalizada na transferência (PFT) aplicada em adolescentes que demostram ter uma identidade difusa. Este método já mostrou sua eficácia junto a adultos que sofrem de problemas graves de difusão da identidade. Chamamos a atenção para a importância de distinguir a crise identitária normal da adolescência da difusão da identidade, para detectar corretamente os adolescentes que poderiam se beneficiar deste tratamento. As principais modificações feitas na PFT para adaptá-la aos adolescentes descritos implicam várias mudanças: quanto à freqüência e à duração de algumas técnicas singulares (por exemplo, uma maior clarificação; uma maior atenção às relações extra-transferenciais antes de abordar diretamente a transferência), mudanças quanto às táticas (por exemplo, a inclusão da família na etapa da avaliação e no contrato que estabelece as fases do tratamento, a inclusão de intervenções de apoio no meio, mantendo a posição analítica durante as sessões), mudanças quanto às estratégias (por exemplo, tentar retirar bloqueios que atrapalham o desenvolvimento normal da integração da identidade, ao invés de “forçar a amadurecimento”). O tratamento visa melhorar as relações dos adolescentes com seus amigos, pais e professores; a esclarecer seus objetivos na vida; a adquirir auto-estima e estar melhor preparado para investir nas relações amorosas

Metacognitive improvement and symptom change in a 3-month treatment for borderline personality disorder.

Recognizing and reflecting on one's own and other people's mental states represent a major difficulty for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Only recently have studies begun exploring whether these capacities increase with successful therapies and if such an improvement is linked with outcome. The present study investigated whether metacognition would improve and if its improvement was related with symptom change in BPD patients. The transcripts from the first and the penultimate session of a ten-session version of good psychiatric management were analysed with the MAS-R scale in a N = 37 BPD sample. Patients, selected from a previously published RCT (Kramer et al., 2014), were assigned either to the good psychiatric management treatment or to the same treatment with the addition of the Motive-Oriented Therapeutic Relationship (Caspar, 2007), a form of therapeutic relationship based on an individualized case formulation. Symptoms were assessed with the OQ-45. Findings partially support the hypotheses. First, improvement in capacities to understand others' mind, to take a critical distance from one's own rigid and maladaptive beliefs, and to use behavioural and attentional strategies to face adversities is found in both treatment groups. Controlling for marital status, only the ability to differentiate between reality and representations remains significant. Second, no link between metacognitive change and symptom change during treatment is found. However, a link is observed between the increase in metacognition and symptom reduction at 6-month follow-up. Results invite to further investigate the role of metacognition in therapy change through different modalities and in longer-term treatments. The development of metacognitive processes and their links with symptom change were examined during a short-term treatment in 37 borderline patients Improvement was found in capacities to understand others' mind, to take a critical distance from own rigid and maladaptive beliefs, and to use behavioural and attentional strategies even in a short-term treatment Controlling for marital status, only the ability to take a critical distance from representations remained significant A link was observed between increase in metacognition and symptom reduction at 6-month follow-up Understanding and tailoring interventions to specific metacognitive difficulties could be associated with symptom change during treatment for BPD patients

Raising children with high self-esteem (but not narcissism)

With the rise of individualism since the 1960s, Western parents have become increasingly concerned with raising children’s self-esteem. This is understandable, given the benefits of self-esteem for children’s psychological health. However, parents’ well-intentioned attempts to raise self-esteem, such as inflated praise, may inadvertently breed narcissism. How, then, can parents raise self-esteem without breeding narcissism? Here, we propose a tripartite model of self-regard, which holds that the development of self-esteem without narcissism can be cultivated through realistic feedback (rather than inflated praise), focus on growth (rather than on outperforming others), and unconditional regard (rather than regard that is conditional). We review evidence in support of these practices and outline promising research directions. The tripartite model integrates existing research, stimulates theory development, and identifies leverage points for intervention concurrently to raise self-esteem and curtail narcissism from a young age

Psychoanalysis as the Patient: High in Feeling, Low in Energy

This paper examines the increasingly important role that affect is assuming in psychoanalytic research and practice. This rise in the centrality of affect has been at the expense of an independent role for motivation and a dismissal of any energy concept. Difficulties with this affect-first approach are identified and an alternative offered that accords motivation an independent role and accommodates a useful energy concept. Research on esophageal atresia, addiction, and infant suckling are cited in support of this position.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66624/2/10.1177_00030651970450031101.pd

The narcissistic mask: An exploration of \u27the defensive grandiosity hypothesis\u27

Narcissism has been conceptualized as involving attempts to defend against negative self-schemata (implicit negative beliefs about one\u27s own self-worth). This idea has been termed the \u27mask model of narcissism\u27. This study explores the mask model, examining the association between extreme narcissistic personality traits and performance on a task purported to assess the influence of negative self-schemata. Participants (n=232) from the UK and the UAE completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and also performed an incidental learning task involving the surprise recall of self-referential adjectives (traits). A greater recall of negative adjectives was viewed as indicative of negative self-schemata. Looking at the sample as a whole, there were no associations between narcissistic traits and negative adjective recall. However, amongst those scoring in the upper quartile of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, narcissism scores were positively correlated with the recall of negative adjectives even after controlling for age and memory. Narcissism may reflect self-enhancement strategies rooted in negative self-beliefs. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The schizotypal personality on an alcohol treatment unit

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25228/1/0000669.pd