The dynamic effects of the child's separation -individuation process on mothering in women with early maternal loss.
Item
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Title
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The dynamic effects of the child's separation -individuation process on mothering in women with early maternal loss.
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Identifier
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AAI3037399
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identifier
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3037399
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Creator
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Gelman, Ellie.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Steven Tuber
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Date
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2002
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical | Psychology, Developmental
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Abstract
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This study investigated the relationship of early maternal loss and motherhood, with a specific focus on the capacity of maternally-bereaved women for self- and object differentiation. Two groups participated: a study group of 10 women who lost their mothers between about 5 and 12 years of age, and a comparison group of 10 women whose mothers were still alive. All 20 women had young children. Subjects were administered two projective measures: the Object Representation Inventory and the Rorschach Inkblot Test. In addition, women in the study group responded to a semi-structured interview designed to elicit feelings about childhood loss; separation experiences from their own children; and the possible interaction between the two. Quantitative results showed that maternal representations were at a lower developmental level among women who lost their mothers in childhood. However, maternally-bereaved women's representations of the child were at a significantly higher developmental level than representations of the mother. And maternal-loss status did not relate to impaired object relations on the Rorschach. Qualitative findings showed that maternal bereavement had a lasting deleterious impact, but also lent support to the idea that motherhood was an impetus for psychological growth and resolution of mourning.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
