title: The Peter Pan and Wendy syndrome: a marital dynamic.
abstract: A marital system is described which features an unfaithful and narcissistic husband, Peter Pan, and a long suffering and depressed wife, Wendy. The dynamics of their individual adjustments are examined as well as the symbiotic nature of the dyadic relationship. Other characters take their parts--Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, and Little Lost Boys. Peter's infidelities belie a firm attachment to his Wendy/mother whilst she depends upon him for protection from forbidden impulses.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008093:Literature, Modern; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008393:Marriage; D009289:Narcissism; D009769:Object Attachment; D011573:Psychoanalytic Interpretation; D012059:Rejection, Psychology