PMID: 15222459Jun 30, 2004Paper

Mahler's concepts of "symbiosis" and separation-individuation: revisited, reevaluated, refined

Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
F Pine

Abstract

Mahler's developmental theories are reviewed in the light of subsequent clinical experience and theoretical and empirical critique. Several modifications are proposed, each tending to particularize and focus the nature and scope of developmental events. Particular attention is accorded the "symbiosis" concept, and focus placed on transmission of psychodynamic issues from mother to infant and on the progressive buildup of self-sustaining pathological systems. Overall, an argument is advanced for the continued developmental import of Mahler's "symbiotic" and "separation-individuation" phase formulations, though with recognition of significant individual differences in their role in individual lives. An argument is advanced also for the clinical utility of these ideas, and illustrations presented, though the link between clinical applications and psychoanalytic theories of early development remains problematic.

References

Jan 1, 1988·Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association·F Pine
Mar 1, 1959·Psychosomatic Medicine·P H WOLFF

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 13, 2005·Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association·Doris Silverman
Sep 20, 2008·Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association·Karen Gilmore
Jun 16, 2006·Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association·Fred Pine
Jun 16, 2006·Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association·Patrick LuytenJozef Corveleyn
Aug 21, 2012·The International Journal of Psycho-analysis·Jussi Antti Saarinen
May 28, 2019·Journal of Medical Ethics·Elias Aboujaoude
Mar 21, 2007·The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child·Fred Pine

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues. Here is the latest research on autism.