Separation Individuation And The Development Of Psychological Mindedness In Late Adolescence And Emerging Adulthood

Fifteen years ago, Jeffrey Jensen Arnett proposed emerging adulthood as a new life stage at ages 18-29, one distinct from both the adolescence that precedes it and the young adulthood that eventually follows. Rather than marrying and becoming parents in their early 20s, most people in developed countries now postpone these transitions until at least their late 20s, spending these years in self-focused explorations as they try out different possibilities in their education, careers, and relationships. Since Arnett proposed his theory of emerging adulthood in 2000, it has turned into a full-fledged academic field, and the ideas have been applied in practical areas as well, such as mental health and education. The Oxford Handbook of Emerging Adulthood brings together for the first time the wealth of theory and research that has developed in this new and burgeoning field. It includes chapters by many prominent scholars on a wide range of topics, such as brain development, relations with friends, relations with parents, expectations for marriage, sexual relationships, media use, substance use and abuse, and resilience. The chapters both summarize the existing research and point the way to new prospects for research in the years to come.

The authors bring to the attention of mental health professionals the contribution of Dr. Margaret M. Mahler to contemporary psychoanalytic development theory. They describe the essential features in the complex developmental sequence temed "separation-individuation." Five case studies are presented in detail that serve to emphasize the practical application of Mahler's work to treatment. Implications for broad social planning and professional understanding of child develoment are drawn and discussed. -- Provided by publisher.

Eleven distinguished psychoanalysts carry these ideas further in this well-organized volume. Together, they trace the echoes of the separation-individuation process through the Oedipus complex, latency, and adolescence, well into mature adulthood, even senescence. Combining psychoanalytically informed infant and child observation data with the established tenets of ego psychology and object relations theory, these investigators highlight the separation-individuation motif looming in the background of all adult development. They demonstrate the value of such conceptualization with the help of characters from literary classics as well as poignant clinical vignettes. The turmoil of adolescence, the vigor of young adulthood, the contemplative and yet enriching anguish of midlife, and the generative wisdom of grandparenthood and old age are all brought into consideration.

A collection of the papers of Margaret S. Mahler, providing an exposition of the development of Mahler's essential concepts.

The Little Book of Child and Adolescent Development presents a modern, psychoanalytically-informed summary of how the mind develops from infancy through young adulthood. It is a comprehensive work that integrates analytic theories with a contemporary systems model of development, and also draws on scholarly research from neighboring fields. Key models discussed include attachment theory, intersubjective theory, cognitive development theory, and infancy research. This book's contemporary approach to development makes it relevant to such timely topics as bullying, the experience of LGBT youth, preadolescent and adolescent use of the internet, and the struggles of young (emerging) adults in modern society. Written to optimize ease of use for the busy clinician, key clinical points are summarized at the end of each chapter, and a glossary of important concepts and terminology is also included. The text will be valuable for psychiatric residents, psychoanalytic candidates and faculty, and graduate students who would benefit from a quick and concise review of the developmental trajectory.