Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Peter Buirski
Second Advisor
Hale Martin
Third Advisor
Christine DeVore
Keywords
Intersubjectivity, Intersubjective systems theory, Psychodynamic, Anger, Differentiation
Abstract
The anger-turned-inward theory of depression has been extensively explored in psychodynamic literature. Still, little has been written about how modern relational approaches work with anger to aid patients in developing a healthy self-concept. This paper will first focus on a literature review of anger in Self Psychology and Intersubjective Systems Theory. These theories view anger as the manifestation of asserting one’s self after narcissistic injury. This paper will explore the relationship between anger and depression with an intersubjective lens utilizing the case study of Martha. Here I conceptualize depression as an introjective defense against misattuned early relational experiences. I explore how understanding and re-experiencing anger in the therapeutic space has aided Martha in moving towards healthy self-cohesion. This paper will demonstrate how Martha’s patterns of pathological accommodation and the porous self-other boundaries within Martha’s family system prevented her from consciously identifying and exploring her anger. This paper illuminates that it is through a compassionate co-created understanding of anger that Martha was able to express previously disavowed internal emotional experiences and thereby begin to embody a new self-assured posture within her life.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Extent
25 pgs
Recommended Citation
Schriber, Hannah, "An Intersubjective Approach to the Role of Anger in Differentiation and the Development of a Cohesive Self: A Case Study" (2023). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 477.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/477