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Review

Psychoanalytic Interventions with Abusive Parents: An Opportunity for Children’s Mental Health

Department of Education, University of Genoa, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013015
Submission received: 26 August 2022 / Revised: 26 September 2022 / Accepted: 5 October 2022 / Published: 11 October 2022

Abstract

Research has extensively shown that most people who experience maltreatment in their childhood develop mental disorders, psychosocial adjustment problems, and, in many cases, become maltreating adults themselves. Preventing child maltreatment and treating abused children and abusive parents are, therefore, pressing public health issues. As established by the UK Children Act in 1989, child development is enhanced by remaining in the family whenever the child’s safety is assured. Thus, developing prevention and intervention programs for the purpose of repairing, whenever possible, the child–parent relationship should be a social priority. This narrative review focuses on the psychoanalytic studies related to intrapsychic dynamics and therapeutic intervention for physically abusive parents. The role of the transgenerational transmission of abuse and parents’ narcissistic fragility is crucial. Psychoanalytic interventions focus on helping the parent work through their past painful experiences and narcissistic vulnerability. Parent–child psychotherapy and mentalization-based treatment have been found to be prevalent, while there is scarce literature regarding intensive individual psychoanalytic treatment. Within the framework of attachment theory, brief interventions were developed; however, they did not prove effective for those parents who suffered experiences of maltreatment or severe neglect in childhood and for whom long-term parent–child psychotherapy resulted, which proved to be the most effective.
Keywords: physical child abuse; psychoanalytic intervention; transgenerational transmission of abuse; child–parent psychotherapy physical child abuse; psychoanalytic intervention; transgenerational transmission of abuse; child–parent psychotherapy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Rosso, A.M. Psychoanalytic Interventions with Abusive Parents: An Opportunity for Children’s Mental Health. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 13015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013015

AMA Style

Rosso AM. Psychoanalytic Interventions with Abusive Parents: An Opportunity for Children’s Mental Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(20):13015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013015

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rosso, Anna Maria. 2022. "Psychoanalytic Interventions with Abusive Parents: An Opportunity for Children’s Mental Health" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 20: 13015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013015

APA Style

Rosso, A. M. (2022). Psychoanalytic Interventions with Abusive Parents: An Opportunity for Children’s Mental Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13015. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013015

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