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Isabel Menzies Lyth is this generation's best known writer on psychoanalytic perspectives on caring institutions - this book makes it clear what the basis of her reputation is, and why it is deservedly so. The book, the first of a two-volume compendium of her writings, contains some of her best papers, ‘The functioning of social systems as a defence against anxiety’ , two papers on ‘Action research in a
long stay hospital’ (, ), ‘Staff support systems: task and anti-task in adolescent institutions’ , and ‘The development of the self in children in institutions’ . Some of these papers have been added to/modified since the original publications. Additional social perspective is added by the inclusion in the volume of letters in response to the early nursing paper. Also included is her paper ‘Thoughts on the maternal role in contemporary society’ and a 42-page interview with the author entitled ‘Reflections on my work’.
The volume hangs together well. Robert Young who commissioned the volume and Ann Scott, the Editor, are to be congratulated on making this important body of work available to the professional public.
The earliest paper, the study of the nursing service of a general hospital, is as relevant as ever. In it she spells out the pain inherent in the work, the defences against the anxiety, and how these anti-task phenomena are presented as if they were the most task appropriate way of organising the work. In spite of now being 30 years old, it is probably still the best paper in the field of applying psycho-analytical concepts to the understanding of an institution.
The two papers, ‘Action research in a long stay hospital’, are preceded by a most useful paper, ‘Some methodological notes on a hospital study’. This excellent precursor to the hospital study gives a detailed account of theoretical and technical issues which need to be considered prior to embarking on an institutional consultation. Together, the three papers give a comprehensive picture of the fund