Developmental Trauma and the Bad Object: Attachment, Identity, Reenactments

Abstract

The author explores how continuous violations of a child’s subjectivity may influence his or her defensive strategies and maintenance of identity in adult life as well as how this may be supported through the use of interpersonal relationships. Effects of potential developmental disruptions are addressed along with the resulting formation of the false self. Defensive strategies in the form of clinging and distancing as a means of maintaining internal object relations, along with the symptomatic self, are described. In addition, the function of the internalized bad object is considered along with the importance of the individual’s attachment to it.

Keywords:

• Developmental trauma
• abuse
• attachment
• bad object
• clinging
• distancing
• false self
• subjectivity
• borderline personality organization
• identity
• transactional analysis

Disclosure statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ales Zivkovic

Ales Zivkovic, MSc (TA Psych), Certified Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy), is a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) and a psychotherapist registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Ales has his private psychotherapy and supervision/consultation practice in London (Marylebone and Mayfair) and is also a trainer at The Berne Institute in Nottingham. Ales specializes in developmental trauma, personality disorders, issues concerning identity, the development of the self, and eating disorders. He also specializes in group and intergroup processes, cultural and collective identities, and the impacts diversity may have at clinical, organizational, and societal levels. Ales worked within the National Health Service primary health care service as an individual and group therapist. He is a member of UKCP, the European Association for Transactional Analysis, the International Transactional Analysis Association, and the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis. In addition, Ales works as an organizational consultant, predominantly focusing on group and intergroup processes. He can be reached at 156C Belsize Road, London, NW6 4BJ, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].