A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration

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dc.contributor.advisorGibson, Kerryen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMackay, Jodie Len_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-28T05:38:16Z
dc.date.available2015-10-28T05:38:16Z
dc.date.issued2001en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: leaves 66-76.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation explores the unique ways in which trauma affects adolescents as opposed to children and/or adults. This is an area of research that has not received sufficient attention. The various approaches in defining the concept of trauma are outlined. Developmental challenges and difficulties regarding the period of adolescence are discussed. Emphasis is placed on particular vulnerabilities evoked during adolescence and the importance of looking at a case in its developmental and environmental context. The impact of the environment, which forms the backdrop to the study, is addressed with reference to the South African context. It is observed how trauma and underlying conflicts augment stress already present in adolescence and complicate successful resolution of developmental tasks, such as autonomy in late adolescence. The research takes the form of a case study of an adolescent girl, who experienced a traumatic assault when she was already struggling with the demands of an unplanned pregnancy. The study illustrates the manifestations in late adolescence of the adverse effects of violence-induced trauma as well as the impact of secondary trauma on the family. The adolescent was seen in the context of exploratory family therapy, which was conducted weekly for 8 months. This offered an opportunity to gain insight into the ways she presented symptoms of trauma to other family members. In this respect a psychodynamic approach is shown as a useful way to explore the emotional features after trauma, such as loss, guilt and difficulties with trust, intimacy and safety. This approach highlights the subjective experience of unexpected violence-induced trauma that overwhelms the ego and produces a state of helplessness. Psychodynamic phenomena, such as regression, defenses and the inner world of the adolescent are discussed in relation to trauma and provides the context in which the meaning of trauma can be understood.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMackay, J. L. (2001). <i>A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14403en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMackay, Jodie L. <i>"A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14403en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMackay, J. 2001. A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mackay, Jodie L AB - This dissertation explores the unique ways in which trauma affects adolescents as opposed to children and/or adults. This is an area of research that has not received sufficient attention. The various approaches in defining the concept of trauma are outlined. Developmental challenges and difficulties regarding the period of adolescence are discussed. Emphasis is placed on particular vulnerabilities evoked during adolescence and the importance of looking at a case in its developmental and environmental context. The impact of the environment, which forms the backdrop to the study, is addressed with reference to the South African context. It is observed how trauma and underlying conflicts augment stress already present in adolescence and complicate successful resolution of developmental tasks, such as autonomy in late adolescence. The research takes the form of a case study of an adolescent girl, who experienced a traumatic assault when she was already struggling with the demands of an unplanned pregnancy. The study illustrates the manifestations in late adolescence of the adverse effects of violence-induced trauma as well as the impact of secondary trauma on the family. The adolescent was seen in the context of exploratory family therapy, which was conducted weekly for 8 months. This offered an opportunity to gain insight into the ways she presented symptoms of trauma to other family members. In this respect a psychodynamic approach is shown as a useful way to explore the emotional features after trauma, such as loss, guilt and difficulties with trust, intimacy and safety. This approach highlights the subjective experience of unexpected violence-induced trauma that overwhelms the ego and produces a state of helplessness. Psychodynamic phenomena, such as regression, defenses and the inner world of the adolescent are discussed in relation to trauma and provides the context in which the meaning of trauma can be understood. DA - 2001 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2001 T1 - A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration TI - A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14403 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/14403
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMackay JL. A psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study exploration. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2001 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14403en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherClinical Psychologyen_ZA
dc.titleA psychodynamic understanding of trauma and adolescence : a case study explorationen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMAen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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