Theory of Object Relations was given by, M. Mahler. Margaret Schönberger Mahler (May 10, 1897 – October 2, 1985) was a Hungarian physician, who later became interested in psychiatry. She was a central figure on the world stage of psychoanalysis. Her main interest was in normal childhood development, but she spent much of her time with psychiatric children and how they arrive at the "self". Mahler developed the separation–individuation theory of child development. She formulated the theory with Pine & Bergman on 1975. ➡️ Normal autistic phase – First few weeks of life. The infant is detached and self-absorbed. Spends most of his/her time sleeping. ➡️Normal symbiotic phase – Lasts until about 5 months of age. The child is now aware of his/her mother but there is not a sense of individuality. The infant and the mother are one, and there is a barrier between them and the rest of the world. ➡️Separation–individuation phase – Separation refers to the development of limits, the differentiation between the infant and the mother, whereas individuation refers to the development of the infant's ego, sense of identity, and cognitive abilities. Mahler explains how a child with the age of a few months breaks out of an "autistic shell" into the world with human connections. This process, labeled separation–individuation, is divided into subphases, each with its own onset, outcomes and risks. The following subphases proceed in this order but overlap considerably Separation refers to the development of limits, the differentiation between the infant and the mother, whereas individuation refers to the development of the infant's ego, sense of identity, and cognitive abilities. Mahler explains how a child with the age of a few months breaks out of an "autistic shell" into the world with human connections. This process, labeled separation–individuation, is divided into subphases ▶️Hatching / differentiation ▶️Practicing – ▶️Rapprochement-Rapprochement is divided into a few sub phases: Beginning – Motivated by a desire to share discoveries with the mother. Crisis – Between staying with the mother, being emotionally close and being more independent and exploring. Solution – Individual solutions are enabled by the development of language and the superego. Disruptions in the fundamental process of separation–individuation can result in a disturbance in the ability to maintain a reliable sense of individual identity in adulthood. ▶️Object constancy or Consolidation phase-

1. Susmita Halder
M. Sc. Nursing 1st Year
CON BSMCH BANKURA

2. Definition of Theory

3. Margaret Mahler (Mahler, Pine & Bergman,
1975) formulated a theory that describes the
separation – individualization process of the
infant from the maternal figure (primary
caregiver).

4. M A R G A R E T M A H L E R
( 1 8 9 7 - 1 9 8 5 )
.
 Born on may 10,1897 into a jewish
family in Sopron in Hungary
 Had troubled relationship with her
mother
 Studied medicine fron University of
Munich
 Influenced by Sandor ferenczi , a
hungarian psychoanalyst
 Shifted majors from pediatrics to
psychiatry
 Moved to USA, there joined
Newyork psychoanalytic society
Worked on cases of childhood
psychosis

5. She describes this process as
progressing through three major
phases, and she further delineates
phase III, the separation-
individualization phase, into four
subphases.

6. 01 02 03
P h a s e s o f T h e o r y o f O b j e c t
R e l a t i o n s
THE AUTISTIC
PHASE
THE SYMBIOTIC
PHASE
SEPARATION –
INDIVIDUALIZ
ATION PHASE

7. In the autistic phase, also called normal autism, the infant
exists in a half-waking state and does not perceive the
existence of other people or an external environment. The
fulfilment of basic needs for survival and comfort is the
focus and is merely accepted as it occurs.
PHASE I : THE AUTISTIC PHASE
( BIRTH TO 1 MONTH)

8. PHASE I : THE AUTISTIC PHASE
( BIRTH TO 1 MONTH)

9. Symbiosis is a type of ‘psychic fusion’ of mother and child. The child
views the
self as an extension of the mother, but with a developing awareness
that it is she who fulfils the child’s every need. Mahler suggested that
absence of, or rejection
by, the maternal figure at this phase, can lead to symbiotic psychosis.
PHASE II : THE SYMBIOTIC PHASE
(1 MONTH TO 5 MONTHS)

10. S y m b i o t i c P h a s e

11. This third phase represents what Mahler calls the ‘psychological birth’ of
the
child.
Separation is defined as the physical and psychological attainment of a
sense of personal distinction from the mothering figure.
Individualization occurs with a s strengthening of the ego and
acceptance
of a sense of “self” with independent ego boundaries.
PHASE III : SEPARATION – INDIVIDUALIZATION
PHASE
(5 MONTHS TO 36 MONTHS)

12. S u b p h a s e s o f S e p a r a t i o n
I n d i v i d u a l i z a t i o n p h a s e Differentiation
01
Practicing
02
Rapprochement
03
Consolidation
.
04

13. The differentiation phase begins with the child’s initial
physical movements away
from the mothering figure. A primary recognition of
separateness commences.
Subphase 1 : Differentiation (5 to 10 Months)

14. With advanced locomotor functioning, the child
experiences feelings of
exhilaration from increased independence. He or she
is now able to move away from and return to
mothering figure. A sense of omnipotence is
manifested.
Subphase 2 : Practicing (10 to 16 Months)

15. This third subphase, rapprochement, is extremely critical to the child’s healthy
ego development. During this time, the child becomes increasingly aware of
his
or her separateness from mothering figure while the sense of fearlessness
and
omnipotence diminishes. The child now recognizing the mother as separate
individual wishes to re-establish closeness with her but shuns the total re
engulfment of the symbiotic stage. The need for the mothering figure to be
available to provide “emotional re fueling’ on demand.
Subphase 3 : Rapprochement ( 16 to 24
Months)

16. Critical to this subphase is the mothering figure’s response to the child. If
the mothering figure is available to fulfil emotional needs as they arise, the
child develops a sense of security in the knowledge that he or she is loved
ad will not
be abandoned. However, if emotional needs are inconsistently met or if the
mother rewards clinging, dependent behaviors and withholds nurturing when
the child demonstrates independence, feelings of rage and a fear of
abandonment
develop and often persist into adulthood

17. With achievement of the consolidation subphase, a definite
individuality and a sense of separateness of self are
established. Objects are represented as whole, with the child
having the ability to integrate both ‘good’ and ‘bad’. A degree of
object constancy is established as the child is able to internalize
a sustained image of the mothering figure as enduring and
loving, while maintain the perception of her as a separate
person in the outside world.
Subphase 4 : Consolidation (24 to 36 Months)

19. R E L E V A N C E O F O B J E C T R E L A T I O N S
T H E O R Y T O T H E N U R S I N G
P R A C T I C E :
Handling
emotional
problems
Understanding
individualization
Improved quality
of mental health
care

20. ❓

21. THANK YOU