High‐conflict divorced couples: combining systemic and psychodynamic perspectives |
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Authors: | Orna Cohen Ziva Levite |
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Affiliation: | 1. Senior Lecturer, School of Social Work, Tel‐Aviv University, Ramat‐Aviv, Tel‐Aviv 69978 Israel. E‐mail: ornacoh@post.tau.ac.il.;2. Psychodynamic Individual and Couple psychotherapist, teacher and supervisor, private practice, Ramat Hasharon, Israel. |
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Abstract: | This article describes typologies of couples in high‐conflict divorces and explores their dynamics through the prism of family systems and British object relations theories. The article argues that couples embroiled in high‐conflict divorce often have primitive object relations. They tend to use splitting and projection processes and find it difficult to tolerate ambivalence or disagreement. Fear of the ex‐spouse's retaliation is often accompanied by fear of their own destructiveness and by a wish to make reparation. However, it seems that reparation attempts in primitive object relations rarely achieve reconciliation. A case study demonstrates the complicated dynamics of these couples. Clinical recommendations are made. |
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Keywords: | divorce high conflict family systemic theory psychodynamic theory |
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