NCJ Number
156967
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
By combining social cognitive theory about nuclear family scenes and scripts with object relations developmental theory, it is possible to understand the ways in which children interpret and manage their experiences in highly conflictual and violent divorced families.
Abstract
Formulations from both theories can explain how violent and abusive experiences are stored and processed in children's memories, how internal working models of domestic relationships are shaped and distorted by parental conflict, and how the distortion is defensively maintained by the child in order to manage feelings of helplessness and shame. A model of normal social-cognitive development describes the effects of these defensive processes on the development of capacities for understanding self and others, for empathy, and for interpersonal morality. This theoretical framework can be used to design treatment strategies aimed at correcting cognitive distortions and increasing emotional flexibility. Theory and strategies for clinical interventions are presented in this article and illustrated with case vignettes. 19 references