A new model for conceptualizing insightfulness in the psychoanalysis of young children.

Full Abstract

Traditional definitions of insight fail to take into account the cognitive and developmental limitations of young analysands, who lack the capacity to mentalize. It is suggested that insightfulness be redefined as promoting mentalization in young children. Gaining this key psychological function furthers the internal integration and self-regulation necessary to regain developmental momentum. The central importance of promoting such development in child psychoanalysis suggests that the facilitation of a mechanism for self-understanding, not the interpretation of content, is essential. Insightfulness is facilitated by employing a range of interventions beyond the interpretation of resistance and content, rendering meaningless the distinction between interpretive and relational aspects of the analyst's role.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Sugarman, Alan (A);

Affiliation: mumford2(-atsign-)cox.net

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Psychoanalytic quarterly (Psychoanal Q), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 72 (issue 2) : pp 325-55

Dates: Created 2003/04/29; Completed 2003/08/26; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12718248, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.

See 100+ related articles.