Abstracts from other Journals

 Journal of Analytical Psychology, Volume  36, Number 2, 1991↗

Hugh Gee

In this paper I have re-examined the story of Oedipus in order to look at the possible parallels with the adolescent who is struggling towards maturity. Drawing from a number of differing sources, I started by retelling the story itself. I then highlighted a number of themes which seem important in the psychology of adolescence; particularly their movement towards consciousness. The first of these themes was ‘abandonment’. Under this heading I tried to show how a ‘sense of abandonment’ may be one of the dynamics that activates the hero archetype, which was the next theme that I examined in both its positive and negative aspects. In line with Jung's approach, I then discussed what seems to me to be the ‘purpose’ of the hero, namely, that it facilitates the developing awareness of inner strengths which, in turn, helps the adolescent in his need to separate from the family. Later in the paper I discuss the resolution of the Oedipus Complex in relation to the adolescent's incestuous wishes, and show how important Jung's concept of ‘sacrifice’ is in emphasising the positive side of growth. I ended the paper by discussing the possible role that myths may play in the transference/countertransference relationship.

 International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, Volume  72, Part 1, 1991↗

Body Image, Sexuality and the Psychotic Core

Egle Laufer

The mental representation of the body - that is, the body image - is a basic element of the person's relationship to himself as well as to reality. From a developmental point of view the body image only becomes finally integrated to form the basis of the person's sexual and gender identity at the end of adolescence. This final body image can contain distortions compared to the person's real body (as viewed by others) and thus can represent a break with some aspects of external reality.

In this paper I use material from the analyses of two patients,