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Rosemary Balsam set an engaging tone as she introduced this panel's multidimensional conceptualizations of siblings, identity development, and analytic process. While noting the scarcity of psychoanalytic literature on siblings, Balsam acclimated the audience to this panel's in-depth look at “only children,” “psychoanalytic siblings,” and the “lateral dimension” of identity development via sibling interactions throughout life. Each panelist presented for approximately twenty minutes. Between presentations, Salman Akhtar commented, and one question was taken from the audience. An overall discussion ensued at the end.
Christine Kieffer presented the first paper, challenging the narrow view that “only children” are at a psychological disadvantage. Kieffer posited that missing siblings can “loom larger than life” in families, more so than actual siblings. Patients who know of but don't see other patients (or see them only briefly) bring this knowledge into the analytic encounter, where it can play into transference themes.
Kieffer differentiated sibling rivalry from the mirroring and regulatory features of siblingship. In that relationship can be found both conflictual relations and a conflict-free sphere. Kieffer noted that “sibling as mirror” lends a “potentiating” aspect to development. Siblings as peers offer more accessible models for comparison, identification, and feedback.
Kieffer presented the clinical vignette of Erica, an “only child” adopted by her grandparents after enduring abuse and neglect her first seven years. In her initial clinical engagement with the analyst she was dismissive, and often threatened to end the analysis. Although Erica's peers found her attractive at first, they would soon come to dislike her.
Panel held at the Winter Meeting of the American Psychoanalytic Association, New York, January 15, 2012. Panelists: Rosemary Balsam (chair), Christine C. Kieffer, Jeanine M. Vivona, Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Salman Akhtar (discussant).