HOMELESSNESS AND CONTAINMENT – A PSYCHOTHERAPY PROJECT WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE AND WORKERS IN THE HOMELESS FIELD

A high percentage of homeless people suffer from a severe degree of personality disorder that causes them to fall through the net of psychiatric and caring services. Their persistent inability to maintain an actual dwelling‐place as a location of stability and meaning, is also reflected in an inner state of fragility, and in relationship difficulties that lead to destructive behaviours that inevitably alienate others. In this paper, the relationship between homelessness, the maternal body, buildings and containment is explored, using clinical material which illustrates how the claustro‐agoraphobic dilemma (Henri Rey 1994 Rey, H. 1994. Universals of Psychoanalysis in the Treatment of Psychotic and Borderline States, Edited by: Magagna, J. London: Free Association Books.  [Google Scholar]), intrinsic to the state of homelessness and to borderline conditions, impacts on vulnerable individuals and on care workers in this field. Examples drawn from staff consultations demonstrate how psychodynamic thinking can help to provide containment within systems of care.     

Trade-offs, individual differences, and misunderstandings about evolutionary psychology

Replies to comments on Evolutionary psychology: Controversies, questions, prospects, and limitations (see record 2010-02208-001) by Confer et al. The purpose of which was to clarify the logic of evolutionary psychology and clear up some of the more common misunderstandings about it. In this response, we address the key points raised by the commentators.     

“We Deal With Symptoms Rather Than Causes”: Antipoverty Policy Making in Occupied Palestinian Territories

Since the Palestinian National Authority assumed governance, antipoverty reforms implemented to combat social problems and traumatic stressors have had limited success. Few empirical studies have investigated policy-making obstacles in this context. Using a social protection framework, this study examined the policy-making environment in Occupied Palestinian Territories. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with Palestinian ministry officials and archival records. Findings revealed a restrictive, obstacle-ridden environment that severely constrains development of high-quality policies for meeting needs of Palestinian citizens. Some limitations were similar to those in other emerging nations; others were unique to the case of Palestine. Policy and research implications are discussed.