OBJECT RELATIONS AND NURSING-CARE OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING PSYCHOSIS

Object-relations theory explains human behavior in terms of a person's inner experiences of others, which are called objects. Internalizatio n of relationships, projective identification, and containment are con cepts within object-relations theory that help to explain the confusin g and frustrating behavior of acutely psychotic patients. These concep ts also provide a framework for understanding the reactions of nurse c linicians to psychotic behaviors, This article explains the basic prin ciples of object-relations theory, illustrates the concepts through a case study, and proposes nursing interventions from an object-relation s perspective. (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company