Psychodynamic Theories: Object Relations

SOW6425 Assessment and Planning

Professor Nan VanDenBergh, PhD, LCSW

Overview of Object Relations Theory• 1st.meaning object relations( Ego Function): ability to

have productive relationships with others in a variety of contexts– Interactions with early caregivers are especially significant in

determining object relations with others

• 2nd meaning object relations ( Object Relations Theory): internalized attitudes toward others and oneself– These attitudes affect one’s self perception– They also affect one’s approach to new relationships

• Objects: People in the external world with whom an infant, child and adult interact, or portions of their personalities– Internal object: representation or mental image of someone in

the external world– External object: an existing person (of whom you can also have

an internal representation)

Overview of Object Relations Theory (cont.)

• Focuses on the internal representations of one’s relationships and how they shape thoughts, feelings and behavior toward others, and the self

• Shift from focus on drives to relationships• Contributions of object relations theory:

– Understanding attachments– One’s inner world composed of representations of

others– Balancing being alone and being with others

Evolution of Object Relations Theory

• Psychoanalysis focused on drives. View of human nature pessimistic, an ongoing conflict to resolve drives: pleasure(sexual) and aggression; mastery and competence

• Ego psychology views humans as less drive ridden and capable of adapting to their environment to meet needs

• Object relations’ theorists looks at human relationships as key in forming personality and facilitating adaption to the environment

Effects of Early Nurturing

• Childhood experiences with abuse, poverty, neglect, and family struggles correlate with later health problems (physical and mental health)

• Relational experiences of infants and children affect central nervous system mechanisms that govern physiological and psychological responses to stress

• Attachment difficulties during the first 3 years of life impact brain development and can continue to do so through age 20

Effects of early nurturing (cont.)

• Animal studies have shown that receiving warm and responsive attention from a care provider prevents elevations in stress hormones– more receptor sites for stress-mediating

neurochemicals are produced

• Insecure relationships are associated with higher stress hormone production (cortisol)

Gender Analysis of Object Relations Theory

• Women and men approach relationships differently– Evidence for neonatal differences (mental and physical) based on

exposure to testosterone levels• Masculine or feminine behaviors demonstrated by a person

may have a hormonal etiology; but also influenced by cultural and social realities

• One gender perspective is that demonstration of feminine or masculine traits develops from early childhood relationships– Pressure for boys to separate from mother deters males from a

learned capacity for intimacy and relatedness• Second gender perspective is that women value

connectedness whereas males value separateness– Women make “moral” decisions ( what is right or wrong) through a

concern with “caring;” whereas males focus on what is “just”

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Attachment

• All people have an inherent biological need to form attachments

• Satisfactory human development is dependent on healthy early attachments

• There may be critical periods when failure to experience a care-providing relationship can have long term consequences– Anaclitic depression

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Introjection and Identification

• Introjection,1st. Definition: Psychologically “taking in” the characteristics of another person– Example: Child fearful of aggressive parent “takes in”

characteristics of aggression – Identification: To identify and feel safe with the

parent, the child could then develop aggressive behavioral tendencies

• 2nd. definition: Process of carrying images of others, psychologically, when they are not physically present (object constancy)

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Representation

• The content, or result, of an introjection• A cognitive construction with deep emotional resonance• Internal images of other people formed consciously, or

unconsciously– How a person psychically represents an object

• Quality of images crucial to development of stable or unstable object relations

• Representations are accompanied by affects, strong feelings, experienced when in presence of others similar to ones earlier “representations” – Rigid and controlling bosses, with whom you have conflict, may

elicit representations of a rigid and controlling parent– These representations can form the basis of transference

responses

Object Relations Problems

• Early deprivation in caregiving and the environment can create individuals with anxiety who are at risk for mental health problems

• Defenses associated with object relations problems include: denial, projection, projective identification and splitting

• Splitting: characterizes how a person sees others as being “all good” or “all bad” prior to seeing them as “whole” with both good and bad qualities– Splitting is a universal coping mechanism for children.– This is unlearned by understanding that “Mommy is upset but

still loves you...”

Object Relations Problems (cont.)

• People with significantly impaired object relations are frequently in conflict with others– Such persons cannot integrate the positive and

negative aspects of others– Result is “loving” or “hating” another– This kind of splitting is often associated with a

borderline personality disorder

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Part Objects and Whole Objects

• Part object: One or several characteristics internalized about a person but not the “total” person ( internalized representations of a caring OR a hostile parent; but, not representations of both simultaneously)

• Whole object is internalization of ALL aspects of another person (capacity to integrate both gratifying and frustrating experiences with care provider)

• Capacity to internalize a whole object represents psychological maturity

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Self-objects, True and False Self

• Self-object: internalization of one’s own SELF– We internalize aspects of ourselves (in whole or in part) as well

as our experiences of others. – Could feel positively, negatively or both about ourselves

• True self: self-object representation wherein a person recognizes possessing a variety of characteristics (positive and negative) as well as various personal needs

• False self: Devaluing personal needs in deference to others’ needs– This could lead to a “victim,” “martyr,” self-sacrificing person

(Acquiescence could mask bitterness and hostility regarding unmeet needs)

– “sorry syndrome….”

Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Object Constancy

• Object constancy: Capacity to carry whole object representations of significant people even when separated from them

• With object constancy person can balance being alone and being with others

• They are aware that others care about them even when not in the presence of those “others”

• “ The capacity to be alone,” is a marker of ego maturity

David Winnicott Object Relations Contributions

• Facilitative environment: Comprised of people and resources that meet the infant’s needs for healthy development– Facilitative environment allows for moving from dependence to

independence

• Holding environment: “safe space” whereby the child can explore the world and take risks. – The social worker provides a “holding environment” for the client

• “Good enough mother”: Focused on meeting the needs of the child, above all else. – Social worker becomes the “good enough parent….”

• Transitional object: physical object adopted by the child, giving her the sense of the parent being with her, although physically separate from the parent (example: blanket, stuffed toy, etc.)– Transitional objects are not universal, only existing in societies that

value independence

Margaret Mahler and Object Relations’ Concepts

• Psychological Birth of the Infant, 1975 (observed bonding behaviors between mothers and babies)

• Separation and individuation process: 3 years in duration, wherein child moves from complete dependence to “object constancy”

• 1st stage, autism (birth to 1 month): infant senses no difference between self and the external world– Sight is not developed at this stage

– Infant exists within own world in a pre-attachment phase

• 2nd stage, symbiosis (2 to 5 months): infant senses an “other” who exists to meet her/his needs– Parent begins to respond to or “mirror” the infant’s individual

characteristics

– Sensations child experiences from mother form the core of sense of slef

– Beginning of the capacity to invest in another person: smiling occurs

Margaret Mahler (continued)

• 3rd stage, separation individuation: has four sub-stages:– Differentiation, (5 to 10 months): infant becomes more

outwardly directed, “hatched,”• Has the capacity to function apart from care provider (held by others)• Begins to separate from care provider• Separation anxiety can occur until mother is “found”

– Practicing, (10 to 16 months): infant begins to intentionally separate from others (i.e. crawling away)

• Feels pull of outside world but also needs closeness to parent• Child experiences power and grandiosity when “exploring”

– Rapprochement, (16-24 months): child learns she can be apart from “other” however she can call for “help” (i.e. toddlers)

• Moves back and forth between autonomy and dependence: ambivalence• Desires constant reassurance from care provider but still pushes her away

– Object constancy, (24-36 months): child has “internalized an image of the other” (object) and can spend longer time alone without feeling abandoned

• Incorporates whole object representation of mother

Margaret Mahler (continued)

• Suggestion has been made that the separation/individuation process repeats within adolescence as the teen progressively attempts to individuate and differentiate– Erikson’s life state of identity diffusion vs. Identity consolidation

Client Change Through Object Relations: Goals of Treatment

• Develop insight into their repetitive negative interpersonal relationships (developmental reflection)

• Modify their internal “objects” (representations of self and others) so that they can respond to people in their present, as unique, not “ghosts from the past”

• New patterns of relating become stable as client analyzes and discusses thoughts, feelings and behaviors regarding new or existing relationships

• More integrated sense of Self developed by being able to see the “good, the bad and the ugly…” in all people, including oneself

Client and Worker Relationship Through Object Relations Perspective

• Monitoring transference and countertransference within the clinical relationship is critical

• Client will tend to act out her/his object relations’ patterns with the practitioner

• Projective identification needs to be scrutinized– Do not be reactive to client’s potential projections

• Practitioner must be “good enough mother” within a safe “holding environment”

Assessment Through Object Relations

• Similar to ego psychology, with greater emphasis on object relations’ ego function

• Assess for:– Quality of relationships with significant others– Are interpersonal conflicts present-rooted, or are

old patterns being repeated?– Are current problem behaviors an attempt to

master old patterns by repeating them? (repetition compulsion)

– Does client have distorted memories of past that need to be corrected?

– Does client have capacity for client to develop healthier relationship with SELF and others through work of the therapeutic working alliance?

Client Change Purposes/Goals Through Object Relations Theory

• Develop more integrated sense of self, and others as a “whole objects”– Modify internal “objects;” representations of self and others – Ability to see the “good, the bad and the ugly” in all people,

including self– Capacity to respond to people in the present as unique; not

ghosts from the past”

• Establish a functional, mutually beneficial and productive capacity for engaging in relationships with others– Develop insight into repetitive negative interpersonal

relationships (developmental reflection)– Analyze and discuss thoughts feelings and behaviors in current

relationships until new patterns of relating become more stable

Interventions and Object Relations• Similar to those used in ego psychology

– Greater emphasis on sustainment and developmental reflection• Sustainment: active listening, conveying acceptance,

providing reassurance and encouragement• Direct influence: suggestion and advice to the client• Exploration, description and ventilation: eliciting

client’s subjective and objective feelings and experiences• Person-situation reflection: focusing on client’s current

situation and relationships. Client helped in:– Evaluating perceptions or understanding of others and situations– Understanding nature of her/his behavior and its effects on other– Understanding reasons for her/his behavior in specific situation– Evaluating feelings, self-concept, attitudes, values– Thinking through the pros and cons of taking certain actions

Interventions and Object Relations (con.t)

• Pattern-dynamic reflection: helping client to identity and consider her/his pattern of behavior including defenses and their impact– Help client develop greater dynamic understanding of nature

and reasons for her/his behavior– Point out or confront maladaptive, contradictory behavior– Offer interpretations of underlying reasons for behaviors

• Developmental reflection: help client think about past and way it is affecting current behavior– Help clients gain greater insight into dynamics of maladaptive

behavior stemming from:• Irrational feelings and fears: abandonment, worthlessness, helplessness• Past conflictual situations: violent, destructive family/care provider• Developmental arrests: trauma, neglect, abuse, abandonment

Interventions and Object Relations (con.t)

• Stages of object relations intervention:

– Early stage: Analysis and interpretation of positive and negative interactions with others in varying life contexts

– Middle stage: Interpreting maladaptive defenses such as splitting and projective identification. Having client identify uncomfortable feelings he is trying to disown and project

– End phase: Client is guided into corrective experiences with people within his environment, using clinical relationship as a model for managing relationships with others

• Worker and client need to agree on the limits and boundaries of relationship ( impulsive and demanding behaviors will be likely)

Object RelationsEvidence of Effectiveness

• Object relations has been used with a variety of types of clients and challenges

• Majority of reports are case studies

• There have been pre and quasi-experimental designs

• Single subject designs, standardized tests, scaling techniques, and qualitative measures could all be utilized

SUMMARY PRINCIPLES OF OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY

The basic human tendency (or drive) is relationships with others

Our personalities are structured through ongoing interactions with others in the social environment

All patterns of behavior are learned in the give and take of relational life; they are all adaptive ways of negotiating experience in the context of circumstances, and our need to elicit care from others

We all develop interpersonal relationship patterns; our new relationships tend to involve re-enactments of earlier relationships

The self consists of internalized affective perceptions of others

OBJECT (INTERPERSONAL) RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT

SecurityTrust

Self-EsteemSense of Self

AvailabilityReflection of worth

ConsistencyPositive regard

The self: Internalized messages and affects related to prior significant others

New Relationships

Developing child / Ego Primary Significant Others

Internalized messagesand affects

Expectations About

Early Years

Later Years

Significant Others in the Environment

Significant Others in the Environment