The waning of the Oedipus complex.
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This article surveys Freud's various versions of the seduction theory, from 1896 to 1933. It is concluded that the seduction theory had never been based on the patients' direct statements and conscious recall of seduction by the father in early childhood--unlike what Freud was to state much later (1933). This early seduction was mostly reconstructed by Freud from the patient's verbal material and behavior in treatment (including memories of sexual experiences from later childhood) which he interpreted as disguised and incomplete "reproductions" and reenactments of the original seduction trauma. Further, the external trauma was never meant to account by itself for the later neurotic symptoms. The "delayed action" of its unconscious memory, producing the repression of an event from the time of puberty, was a necessary part of the process. Thus internal psychic transformations and conflicts, anticipating Freud's later emphasis on fantasy and psychic reality, were already an intrinsic part of the seduction etiology of 1896. It is also noted that the father played no central role in the original theory as presented in 1896; it is only in the letters to Fliess that the father emerged as the prime seducer. The implications of this clarification of the seduction theory for the understanding of the changes and continuity in the development of Freud's theories are highlighted; their relevance to ongoing issues in psychoanalysis about the role of external trauma, fantasy, and reconstruction are briefly examined.
The role of perverse sexuality as an organizing influence in "multiple personality" is explored in this paper. Following a brief review of psychoanalytic thinking on sexual trauma and perversion, the author discusses his own views on dissociation and "multiple personality." A clinical case is then presented in which transsexualism, homosexuality, and sadomasochistic heterosexual practices were manifested during altered ego states. Analysis of the transference revealed the centrality of sadomasochism in this patient. It is hypothesized that various perverse structures may be formed within these seemingly autonomous, amnestic states, in order to contain anxiety and encapsulate the aggression which resulted from early psychic trauma. Issues relating to diagnosis, countertransference, reconstruction, and psychoanalytic technique are discussed also.
A phase in the analysis of a young man is presented, demonstrating evidence of maternal sexual overstimulation from infancy through early adulthood. A consequence of this overstimulation was a regression to an unstable gender identity. The developmental line of gender identity proved useful in understanding this man's conflicts.
A descriptive analysis was done on 73 consecutive cases of childhood sexual abuse seen in 1978. There were conspicuous similarities among the cases. Sexually abused children tended to come from households with evidence of family stress. The events occurred in safe havens such as the childrens' own homes, by individuals known and trusted by the children. An intrafamilial stress-dysfunction model, rather than a victim-assailant model, is more applicable to childhood sexual abuse.
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This article presents the results of research investigating the relation between interpersonal factors and personality disorders and intra-familial versus extra-familial child molesters. The sample contained 41 intra-familial and 43 extra-familial child molesters as well as a matched comparison group of 80 subjects. The analysis of the research results show that interpersonal factors, such as parental sensitivity, trust, and adult romantic attachment, discriminate between intra-familial and extra-familial child molesters. These findings structure the heterogeneous field of child molesters, as intra-familial child molesting seems to be related to relational attitude as well as personality disorders, whereas extra-familial child molesting is mainly related to personality disorders without showing significant deficits in the interpersonal factors that were measured. These results contribute to the explanation of this deviant sexual conduct and to the development and differentiation of the treatment of child molesters.
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The sexually abused adolescent girl is attempting to cope with a disturbing past, threatening present, and disrupted future. She may also be feeling cut off or different from her friends at a time when, developmentally, peer contact is vital. This paper describes a group therapy experience offered to six 13 and 14 year old abuse victims in order to help them feel better about themselves, improve their social skills and reconnect with others their own age. The group focused on the girl's present, everyday functioning and the effects the family disturbances and abuse have had on them. The male and female co-therapists attempted to create an atmosphere of trust and mutual aid; discussions centered on the relationships among group members and the connections the girls make with their important others, including family, friends, and social agencies. As the sessions progressed, four main themes of concern emerged; the girls shared feelings of violation, loss, anger and, finally, hope for their future. The paper illustrates these themes, delineates some of the girls' group experiences, and changes they underwent, and points out some organizational issues for the therapists in running this type of group.
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This paper presents the view that family dysfunction in intra- and extra-familial child sexual abuse can be considered apart from the sexual trauma and can be seen as having important independent psychological consequences. Family dynamics are discussed as they relate to both types of sexual abuse and as they relate to the context of disclosure of the events. A direct link is suggested between such dynamics and the psychological problems experienced by the child victims. Recommendations for research and therapy are also made.
The long term effects of sexual abuse are often measured by measuring behaviours such as social adjustment, job stability and marriage. This study was conducted to add to these internal measures. Using a semi-prospective instrument adapted from G. Kelly's repertory grid, the adolescents' perceptions of themselves and significant others are measured. Three hundred and twelve female adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 (average age = 16) participated in the study; 79 presented with non sexual behaviour disorders (delinquency, stealing, etc.), 56 presented with serious sexual behaviour disorders (prostitution, persistent sexual promiscuity) and 177 presented with no problems requiring psychosocial intervention. Various analyses (descriptive, multiple variance, regression analysis) showed that sexual abuse significantly affects many of the adolescents' perceptions. Sexually abused adolescents perceived their two real parents as less competent and their ideal mother and father as less protective than adolescents who had not been abused. In contrast, their perception of self and the ideal self was not affected by the sexual abuse, a finding which will spark discussion.
Of 184 female outpatients meeting the DSM-III-R criteria, for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or anorexia nervosa with bulimia, approximately 25% reported previous sexual abuse. Furthermore, previous sexual abuse was associated with greater psychological disturbance, measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory and Eating Attitudes Test. Sexual functioning did not differ among women who did or did not report sexual abuse. This finding suggests that sexual abuse or its correlates may affect severity rather than type of eating disorder.
This study intended to identify familial risk factors which differentiate sexually abused young girls from nonabused girls and, further, young victims of intrafamilial from those of extrafamilial sexual abuse. The subjects were 112 girls aged three to five years and their families. Forty-two were the victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse and 28 were victims of extrafamilial sexual abuse while 42 girls were not the victims of abuse. The three groups of girls were matched for age. Comparisons indicated that the families of abused girls had less harmony and stability in the marital unit and were headed by less competent parents. Mothers in both abuse groups were significantly more likely to have experienced sexual abuse as children. For all comparisons, the intrafamilial group showed greater disadvantage and dysfunction than the extrafamilial group. The intrafamilial group was differentiated from the extrafamilial group by worse spousal relationships, inadequate boundaries in parent-child behaviour, father's history of physical abuse as a child and violent behaviour as an adult and maternal disapproval of the child victim. These findings suggest that child sexual abuse is related to a longstanding collection of interconnected adult personal and relational deficiencies which result in inadequate parenting for the young victim.
An individual with pedophilia and trichotillomania was treated with sertraline. Despite a longstanding history of trichotillomania, his hair-pulling behaviour stopped. In addition, pedophilic impulses also remitted. This improvement was noted not only in terms of subjective reporting but also in terms of biological and physiological testing done before and after treatment.