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Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy
Thesis (PhD (Psychotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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University of Pretoria
2013
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| _version_ | 1867613614205042688 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Aronstam, Maurice Albert |
| author_browse | Aronstam, Maurice Albert |
| author_facet | Aronstam, Maurice Albert |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Psychotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31362 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:38:56.612Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31362 Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy Aronstam, Maurice Albert wilorr@yebo.co.za Wilhelm, Margaret Elizabeth UCTD Non-psychotic personality Thought disturbances Hermeneutics Emotional linkages Digestive model Wilfred bion Dissociative identity disorder Alpha-function Truth and lies Part-object relations Narcissistic identification Emotional experience Intrinsic and natural Intrapsychic divisions Dissociation Thesis (PhD (Psychotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. The phenomenon of dissociation has been understood in many different ways since it was first linked, by both Freud and Janet, to the condition of hysteria in the late 1800s. Bion (1958) observed the dissociative mechanism in his schizophrenic patients at a point when they were displaying an improved mental state. Hence, Bion, considered dissociation to be a relatively benign and creative mechanism that resulted in natural divisions of the psyche. The researcher used Bion’s description of dissociation to achieve a better understanding of the intrapsychic configuration arising from dissociation in the context of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Following Bion’s digestive model of mental growth, these psychic divisions were further examined in terms of their overall nurturing or poisoning physiological functions. These functions determined the trajectory of mental growth in the participant. These dynamics were illustrated through clinical material derived from a patient who was still in long-term psychotherapy with the researcher at the time of writing this study. This single case study was, however, restricted to approximately six-and–a-half years. In response to impaired maternal containment, exacerbated by ongoing sexual abuse and mental pain, DID had evolved as a complex defence system in the participant. For the participant, dissociation became a habitual way of defending against mental pain and in this way formed her personality structure. The hermeneutic cycle was applied to the research material in which the findings were first understood at an empathetic, descriptive level and then at a deeper more interpretative level. Ricoeur’s (1982) concept of distanciation facilitated a more objective interpretation of these findings. The findings of this study are therefore presented at two levels of understanding. The participant showed some capacity for symbolic thinking, and emotions of guilt and concern for others, indicating a potential for depressive position functioning. However, her system of internal object relations conformed more to part-object relationships than to whole object relating. Although these internal part-object relations provided an illusion of protection against terrifying feelings, this psychic arrangement compromised normal psychic integration in the participant. There was evidence to show that the internal system of part-objects resulted in a thought disturbance for the participant and consequently could not provide sustained nurturance to her psychic system. Given that elements of both paranoid-schizoid and depressive modes of functioning were noted, the participant was positioned at the onset of the depressive position in terms of mental functioning. Psychology Restricted Humanities 2013-09-09T12:12:57Z 2006-10-19 2013-09-09T12:12:57Z 2006-05-08 2005 2006-10-19 Thesis Wilhelm, M 2006, Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy, PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192006-140826/ > http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31362 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192006-140826/ en © 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Non-psychotic personality Thought disturbances Hermeneutics Emotional linkages Digestive model Wilfred bion Dissociative identity disorder Alpha-function Truth and lies Part-object relations Narcissistic identification Emotional experience Intrinsic and natural Intrapsychic divisions Dissociation Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title | Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title_full | Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title_fullStr | Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title_short | Dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines : an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| title_sort | dissociation as a psychic division along natural lines an exploration in adult psychotherapy |
| topic | UCTD Non-psychotic personality Thought disturbances Hermeneutics Emotional linkages Digestive model Wilfred bion Dissociative identity disorder Alpha-function Truth and lies Part-object relations Narcissistic identification Emotional experience Intrinsic and natural Intrapsychic divisions Dissociation |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31362 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192006-140826/ |