This research project was started in 1991 to look, in particular, at the developmental problems of the transition from late adolescence to adulthood. This is a joint project with members of the British Psycho-Analytical Society and currently has eleven patients in five-times-weekly analysis, all in their early twenties. The research employs rigorous standardized reporting procedures: a modified form of Anna Freud's Diagnostic Profile, weekly reports using specified headings, a lengthy weekly questionnaire and, once a month, a full process write-up of a single session using a standardized reporting method. Our group meets twice a month to discuss clinical and research issues.

The workshop participants were particularly interested in the methodological problems we had encountered and the difficulty of devising and using effective research strategies. There was also some discussion about the presenting problems and specific issues arising in working with patients in this age-group.