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Adjustive techniques and defensive interaction can be profitably studied from the viewpoint of ego psychology as well as in terms of intrapsychic conflict and instinctual derivatives. Such an orientation is directed toward transactions with the outer world but, of course, the analyst maintains his interest in their intrapsychic components. Thus, object relations represent another frame of reference which is relevant to analytic inquiry and therapeutic understanding.
Marriage is a special type of object relationship which can be understood from several viewpoints. One immediately-perceived function of object relations is their adjustive potential which in many instances can be considered defensive in view of intrapsychic conflict and/or characterological defect.
Benedek (1) and Mahler, (8) among others, have designated certain stages of the mother-infant interaction as being symbiotic in character with considerable mutual dependency. Although the child's dependence upon the mother is total, the mother can turn elsewhere. However, as Benedek(2) has emphasized, the mother's relationship with the child may be a “total” one during early neonatal stages and represents a developmental phase for her as well as for the baby.
Symbiosis also refers to a developmental phase that leads to the structuring of object relationships and the formation of an integrated,
coherent identity, distinct from the outer world. Such developmental levels determine the qualities and nature of object relationships appropriate to the particular psychosexual stage. (6,9)
The symbiotic aspects of the marital object relationship have been described elsewhere. (4, 5, 6) Here, I wish to elaborate the thesis that marital partners have constructed a symbiotic object relationship which stresses equal needs of one spouse for the other. This equality of needs, however, has unique manifestations that reflect the total personality integration.
Total emotional involvement—the need of marital partners for each other