INFANT RESEARCH AND THE TREATMENT OF ADUL TS - HOW THE NEW FINDINGS OF INFANT RESEARCH INFLUENCE THERAPIES IN PSYCHOANALYTIC SELF PSYCHOLOGY

The current consensus among psychoanalysts holds that direct infant ob servations are one means for testing the developmental propositions of psychoanalytic theory. The empirical results of infant research may a lter the developmental theory of psychoanalysis; moreover, they motiva te to reflect psychodynamic considerations in order to develop a new u nderstanding of mental functioning. On the basis of these explorations it is concluded that psychoanalytically based infant observations may be the source for new theories and treatment strategies. In the last two decades findings of infant research were discussed and integrated in the psychoanalytic psychology of the self. This is exemplified by c oncepts such as ''affect-attunement'' in comparison to empathy and res ponsivity as well as to the disruption-restoration-process.