Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies

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dc.contributor.advisorSturgeon, Shonaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorGrassow, Howarden_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-09-25T08:46:33Z
dc.date.available2014-09-25T08:46:33Z
dc.date.issued2000en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography : leaves 101-104.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe study set out to explore why people who were not at risk of being retrenched at the time of organisational change presented to the employee assistance program with signs of depression and anxiety. The study examined the, 'unconscious aspects' of the relationship between the individual and work colleagues; the importance of the individual's relationship with the organisation, and how early unresolved feelings of loss can be evoked during organisational change. The study was informed by psychoanalytic object relations theory. The study presents a theoretical examination of infant development that focuses on the sources of early anxieties, the way in which the infant defends against these anxieties, and the mother's role in helping the infant to contain them. This examination suggests that although many of these primitive anxieties are resolved during infancy and childhood, they remain present in adulthood and therefore people continue to seek out places that can contain their primitive anxieties. The theoretical constructs are then used to examine three areas, those being, the employees relationship with the organisation, relationships with colleagues, and the loss of the organisation. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the theoretical constructs. The three participants, all of whom were not at risk of being retrenched, presented to the employee assistance programme with signs of anxiety and depression. The data presented was collected during ten therapy sessions. This data was then analyzed using psychoanalytical object relations theory. The study seemed to Show that: early maternal relationships play an important role in how the employee will relate to the organisation and work colleagues; that the organisation plays an important role in providing a forum for reparation for employees; that the employee organisation relationship plays an important role in containing employee's anxieties; that changes within the organisation may be experienced by members as a loss of an important containing relationship. It is helpful for social workers working with employees to understand these so as to help both employees and management during organisational change.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationGrassow, H. (2000). <i>Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7674en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationGrassow, Howard. <i>"Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7674en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationGrassow, H. 2000. Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Grassow, Howard AB - The study set out to explore why people who were not at risk of being retrenched at the time of organisational change presented to the employee assistance program with signs of depression and anxiety. The study examined the, 'unconscious aspects' of the relationship between the individual and work colleagues; the importance of the individual's relationship with the organisation, and how early unresolved feelings of loss can be evoked during organisational change. The study was informed by psychoanalytic object relations theory. The study presents a theoretical examination of infant development that focuses on the sources of early anxieties, the way in which the infant defends against these anxieties, and the mother's role in helping the infant to contain them. This examination suggests that although many of these primitive anxieties are resolved during infancy and childhood, they remain present in adulthood and therefore people continue to seek out places that can contain their primitive anxieties. The theoretical constructs are then used to examine three areas, those being, the employees relationship with the organisation, relationships with colleagues, and the loss of the organisation. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the theoretical constructs. The three participants, all of whom were not at risk of being retrenched, presented to the employee assistance programme with signs of anxiety and depression. The data presented was collected during ten therapy sessions. This data was then analyzed using psychoanalytical object relations theory. The study seemed to Show that: early maternal relationships play an important role in how the employee will relate to the organisation and work colleagues; that the organisation plays an important role in providing a forum for reparation for employees; that the employee organisation relationship plays an important role in containing employee's anxieties; that changes within the organisation may be experienced by members as a loss of an important containing relationship. It is helpful for social workers working with employees to understand these so as to help both employees and management during organisational change. DA - 2000 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2000 T1 - Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies TI - Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7674 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/7674
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationGrassow H. Exploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studies. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Social Development, 2000 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7674en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Social Developmenten_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherClinical Social Worken_ZA
dc.titleExploring how object relations theory can be used to understand the response of individuals to organisational change : three case studiesen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSocScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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