Preteens in psychotherapy
mentalization capacity and parents’ highly conflictive divorce
Keywords:
Adolescent, Divorce, Psychotherapy, Theory of mindAbstract
The focus of this study was the mentalization capacity of preteens, in the context of a break in ties due to highly conflictive marital separation, and the possibility of developing the capacity of mentalization during the therapeutic process of these youths. These concepts have been conceived, based on the psychoanalytical branch of the attachment theory, contributions of certain object relations theories, especially those of Bion and Winnicott, and on Cognitive Psychology. A study with qualitative research approach was conducted, based on the procedure of Multiple Case Studies. The participants - two preteens and their parents - were treated at a clinic-school in the Southern region of Brazil. The mentalization capacity of these youths was evaluated before and after five months of psychotherapy. The main results pointed out to a limited or absent mentalization capacity at the beginning of psychotherapy and changes in the reflective function and mentalization capacity after the first five months of treatment.
Downloads
References
Aguiar, F. (2001). Método clínico: método clínico? Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 14 (3), 609-616.
Allen, J. G., & Fonagy, P. (2006). The handbook of mentalization based treatment. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2003). The development of na attachment-based treatment program for borderline personality disorder. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 63 (3), 187-211.
Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2004). Psychotherapy of borderline personality disorder: mentalisation-based treatment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2006). Mentalization-based treatment for borderline personality disorder: a practical guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Benetti, S. P. C. (2006). Conflito conjugal: impacto no desenvolvimento psicológico da criança e do adolescente. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 19 (2), 261-268. Recuperado em novembro 29, 2007, disponível em .
Cohen, G. J. (2002). Helping children and families deal with divorce and separation. Pediatrics, 110 (5), 1019-1023.
Cunha, J. A., & Nunes, M. L. T. (1993). Teste das fábulas: forma verbal e pictórica. São Paulo: CETEPP. De la Cruz, A. C. (2008). Divorcio destructivo: cuando uno de los padres aleja activamente al otro de la vida de sus hijos. Revista Diversitas: Perspectivas en Psicología, 4 (1), 149-157.
Di Domenico, R. (2006). Famílias separadas y apego. Psicología: Segunda Época, 25 (2), 6-17.
Fonagy, P. (2003).The research agenda: the vital need for empirical research in child psychotherapy. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 29 (2), 129-136.
Fonagy, P., & Bateman, A. W. (2003). The development of na attachment-based treatment program for borderline personality disorder. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 63 (3), 187-211.
Fonagy, P., & Bateman, A. W. (2006). Mechanisms of change in mentalization-based treatment of BPD. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62 (4), 411-430.
Fonagy, P., & Bateman, A. W. (2007). Mentalizing and borderline personality disorder. Journal of Mental Health, 16 (1), 83-101.
Fonagy, P., & Bateman, A. (2012). Handbook of mentalizing in mental health practice. New York: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Fonagy, P., Gergely, G., Jurist, E. L., & Target, M. (2002). Affect regulation, mentalization, and the development of the self. New York: Other Press.
Fonagy, P., & Target, M. (1997). Attachment and reflexive function: their role in self organization. Development and Psychopathology, 9 (4), 679-700.
Guimarães, M. S., & Guimarães, A. C. S. (2002). Guarda: um olhar interdisciplinar sobre casos judiciais complexos. In D. Zimerman. Aspectos psicológicos na prática jurídica. Campinas: Millennium.
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. (2011). Estatísticas do Registro Civil 2010 (Vol. 37). Rio de Janeiro: IBGE.
Kelly, J. B., & Emery, R. E. (2003). Children’s adjustament following divorce: risk and resilience perspectives. Family Relations, 52 (4), 352-362.
Macedo, M. M. K., & Werlang, B. S. G. (2007). Trauma, dor e ato: o olhar da psicanálise sobre uma tentativa de suicídio. Ágora, 10 (1), 89-106.
Midgley, N., & Vrouva, I. (Eds.). (2012). Minding the child: mentalization-based interventions with children, Young people and their families. London: Routledge.
Muñoz-Ortega, M. L., Gómez-Alaya, P. A., Marcela, C., & Santamaría-Ogliastri, M. C. (2008). Pensamientos y sentimientos reportados por los niños ante la separación de sus padres. Universitas Psychologica, 7 (2), 347-356.
Sharp, C., & Venta, A. (2012). Mentalizing problems in children and adolescents. In N. Midgley & I. Vrouva (Eds.), Minding the child: mentalization-based interventions with children, young people and their families. London: Routledge.
Slade, A. (2005). Parental reflexive functioning: na introduction. Attachment & Human Development, 7 (3), 269-281.
Strohschein, L. (2005). Parental divorce and child mental health trajectories. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67 (5), 1286-1300.
Yin, R. (2005). Estudo de caso: planejamento e métodos (3ª ed). Porto Alegre: Bookman.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Patrícia Coral VIEGAS, Vera Regina Röhnelt RAMIRES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
