AN UNUSUAL SEPARATION EXPERIENCE DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ITS POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE ISSUE OF INTIMACY DURING ADULTHOOD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY (ATTATCHMENT THEORY, PSYCHOANALYTIC).
Item
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Title
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AN UNUSUAL SEPARATION EXPERIENCE DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ITS POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE ISSUE OF INTIMACY DURING ADULTHOOD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY (ATTATCHMENT THEORY, PSYCHOANALYTIC).
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Identifier
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AAI8629666
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identifier
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8629666
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Creator
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ADAMS, CARLTON JAMA.
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Contributor
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Arietta Slade
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Date
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1986
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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
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Abstract
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This study was an exploration of the psychological consequences of prolonged separation and later reunion between a sample of Jamaican mothers and their children. Separation which took place before the age of five lasted from six to twenty two years. The mother visited infrequently during the period of separation, however, material support was regularly provided by her. Eight subjects who had experienced such separation were interviewed. Four subjects who had not experienced such a separation prior to the age of sixteen were also interviewed. The ages of the subjects ranged from twenty one to thirty four. The interviews focused on the subjects' capacity to manage intimate relationships. Data was interpreted from the perspective of object relations theory and attachment theory.;Separated subjects experienced much difficulties in the management of intense affective states. This was manifested by disruptions in narrative when the subjects attempted to discuss painful material. It was difficult for such subjects to consistently reflect upon their internal psychological lives.;These subjects were unsure of themselves in the realm of intimacy and were preoccupied with fears of emotional abuse and rejection. At the same time they experienced strong needs for emotional nurturance. Given these opposing states there was much ambivalence around intimate relating.;Separated subjects tended to be either overly dependent or overly independent. This appeared to be a function of either negative or positive attachment experiences with the surrogate mother and with the biological mother upon reunion. Negative attachment experiences with both sets of caregivers resulted in inadequate development with regards to autonomous functioning. In addition there were difficulties around owning and experiencing intense affective states. Even when experiences with the surrogate mother and the biological mother were positive one still observed marked wariness with regards to intimate relating. These findings suggest that the separation experience makes its own contributions to these difficulties and such contributions are exacerbated by less than adequate caregiving ameliorates but does not eliminate these difficulties.
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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.
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Program
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Psychology
