Early memories, object relations, and current relationship functioning

Timothy Dolan, James Chris Fowler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between dependency themes in 140 inpatients' early childhood memories (EM) and social interactions involving dependent behavior. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the type of dependent EM predicted overt behavior above and beyond demographic and diagnostic categories. Patients expressing clinging dependent themes in their narratives had greater involvement in social activities in the therapeutic community program and with nurses, whereas patients expressing counterdependent themes engaged in more hostile interactions with nursing staff members, were more self-destructive, and had more emergency department admissions over the course of inpatient treatment. Results are considered in light of the clinical utility of EMs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)205-223
Number of pages19
JournalBulletin of the Menninger Clinic
Volume75
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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