Abstract

Object relations theory is an offshoot of psychoanalytic theory that emphasizes interpersonal relations, primarily in the family and especially between mother and child.

This work aimed at investigating a major research question “How can the basic principles of object relations theories be elaborated, applied and worked through in dynamic integrative group therapy?”

This was performed via selecting and qualitatively analyzing a number of therapeutic interactions from Audio and video recordings of the group sessions of Minia Group Psychotherapy Training Program.

Analysis of the studied group transcripts showed a rich amount of emerging themes from sides of the therapist, trainees, and group members in regard to the core basic principles of object relations theories.

Through Interpretative Phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the data, the researcher has reached some clinically based formulations in the following domains:

A- Psychopathological Process:

  • What are the parental factors that would probably play a significant role in psychopathology formation from an “object relations” point of view?
  • What are the details and micro-processes of pathological transformation in patients’ inner world according to the object relations model?

B- Psychotherapeutic Process:

1- Patients’ Perspective

  • What are the needs that should be worked through during the therapeutic process from an object-relations perspective and what are the rationales for working through those needs?
  • What are the fears that hinder patients from wanting to actualize their basic object relations needs?
  • What are the psychological rights that need to be regained by patients in order to move in a therapeutic direction from an “object relations” point of view?
  • What therapeutic decisions need to be taken in order improve from an “object relations” point of view

2- Therapist’s Perspective

  • In which ways can the therapist intervene in order to help patients work on their pathological issues from an “object relations” perspective?

3- Trainees and other group members’ Perspective

  • How can trainees and other group members share in the process of working through patients’ difficulties for purpose of change?

Citation:

Abd El-Na’em M. M., Abd EL-Hameed, M. A.,  El-Sherbeiny, A. M. and Mahfouz, R. (2014). Object Relations in Dynamic Interactive Group Psychotherapy: Principles and Practice. Doctoral dissertation, Neurology and Psychiatry Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Minia University.

For complete thesis:

  • Contact Dr. Moustafa Mahmoud (email: moustafaabdelnaem@gmail.com).
  • Link to Egyptian Universities Library Consortium (here).
  • Visit Minia Faculty of Medicine’s book library.