1. Psychodynamic Theories: Object Relations

2. Overview of Object Relations Theory
Objects: People, or portions of their personalities
1st.meaning object relations( Ego Function): ability to have productive relationships with others in a variety of contexts
2nd meaning object relations ( Object Relations Theory): internalized attitudes toward others and self as they affect one’s approach to new relationships

3. 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

4. Evolution of Object Relations Theory
Psychoanalysis focused on drives. View of human nature pessimistic, an ongoing conflict to resolve drives: pleasure (sexual), 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

5. 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
Animal studies have shown that animals receiving extensive care-providing develop more receptor sites for neurochemicals chemicals that reduce the stress response

6. Effects of early nurturing (cont.)
Attachment difficulties during the 1st 3 years of life impact brain development and can continue to do so through age 20
Secure attachments play a critical role in shaping the neurochemical and physiological responses to stress
Warm and responsive caregivers prevent elevations in stress hormones
Insecure relationships are associate with higher stress hormone production

7. Feminist Analysis of Object Relations Theory
Women and men approach relationships differently
Masculine or feminine behaviors demonstrated by a person may have a hormonal etiology; but also influenced by cultural and social realities
One feminist 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 feminist 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”

8. 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 wherein a failure of lack of a key care-providing relationship can have long term consequence

9. Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Introjection
1st. Definition: Psychologically “taking in” the characteristics of another person
Example: Child fearful of aggressive parent “takes in” characteristics of aggression so as to identify and feel safe with the parent. This child could then develop aggressive behavioral tendencies
2nd. definition: Process of carrying images of others, psychologically, when they are not physically present

10. 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
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

11. Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Object relations
A person’s internalized attitudes towards other people as well as towards oneself
Interactions with early caregivers are especially significant in determining object relations with others

12. Major Concepts of Object Relations Theory: Object, Internal and External Objects
Object is an actual person or one’s mental representation of a person or part of a person
Internal object: same as a “representation”
External object: an existing person (of whom you can also have an internal representation)

13. 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...”

14. People with significantly impaired object relations are frequently in conflict with others
They cannot integrate the positive and negative aspects of others and either love or hate people
This can be considered a tendency for a borderline personality disorder

15. 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 both representations 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

16. 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,” generally self-sacrificing person (Acquiesecne could mask bitterness and hostility regarding unmnet needs)

17. 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”

18. 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

19. 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 3 months): infant senses no difference between self and the external world
2nd stage, symbiosis (1 to 5 months): infant senses an “other” who exists, only to meet his needs

20. Margaret Mahler (continued)
3rd stage: has four substages:
Differentiation, (5 to 8 months): infant aware of being different from the other and has the capacity to function apart from that person
Practicing, (8 to 16 months): infant begins to intentionally separate from others (i.e. crawling away)
Rapprochement, (16-24 months): child learns she can be apart from “other” however she can call for “help” (i.e. toddlers)
Object constancy, (24-36 months): child has “internalized an image of the other” (object) and can spend longer time alone without feeling abandoned
Suggestion has been made that this 3rd change repeats within adolescence as the teen progressively attempts to individuate and differentiate ( Erikson: identity diffusion vs. identity consolidation)

21. Client Change Through Object Relations: Purposes
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”
Client analyzes and discusses thoughts, feelings and behaviors regarding new or existing relationships, until new patterns of relating become stable
Client develops more integrated sense of herself by being able to see the “good, the bad and the ugly…” in all people, including herself

22. 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 or his object relations’ patterns with the practitioner
Projective identification needs to be scrutinized
To not be reactive to client’s potential projections
Practitioner must provide “good enough mothering” within a safe holding environment

23. 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?
Capacity for client to develop healthier relationship with SELF and others through work of the therapeutic working alliance

24. Interventions and Object Relations
Similar to those used in ego psychology
Greater emphasis on sustainment and developmental reflection
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)

25. Object Relations Evidence of Effectiveness
Object relations has been used with a variety of types of clients and challenges
Majority of reports are cares studies
There have been pre and quasi-experimental designs

26. 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

28. OBJECT (INTERPERSONAL) RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT
Significant Others in the Environment
Availability
Reflection of worth
Consistency
Positive regard
Security
Trust
Self-Esteem
Sense of Self
Internalized messages
and affects
Early Years
Developing child / Ego
Primary Significant Others
Significant Others in the Environment
Later Years
Expectations About
The self: Internalized messages and affects related to prior significant others
New Relationships