Resolution of developmental tasks pertaining to prolongation of adolescence.
The establishment of ego identity is a developmental task of primary importance in adolescence. Adolescence is considered to be a period of psychosocial moratorium for the establishment of ego identity and incorporation into adult society. Some youths are known to consciously or unconsciously extend this period of psychosocial moratorium in order to escape incorporation, prolonging the resolution of developmental tasks associated with adolescence. This paper discusses the psychodynamics of the prolongation of adolescence through presentation of the therapeutic consultation of a male patient in his early 30's prolonging establishment of ego identity, or in particular, that of work identity. Analysis in this case revealed that the prolongation of adolescent mentality was deeply related to the wound of narcissism peculiar to adolescence. Additional comments are given on the therapeutic mechanism of therapeutic consultation.
Hashimoto
M
M
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000523:psychology; D004532:Ego; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D010553:Personality Development; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent