title: Object and subject relations in adulthood--towards an integrative model of interpersonal relationships.
abstract: In the article the author presents a model of interpersonal relationships based on integration of object relations theory and theory of attachment. He proposes three main bipolar dimensions of interpersonal relationships: Independence - Dependence, Connectedness - Alienation and Reciprocity - Self-absorption. The author also proposes that it is important to distinguish between two main types of adult interpersonal relationships: object and subject relations. Object relations describe relationships in which the other person is perceived as an object that serves the satisfaction of the first person's needs. Object relations are a manifestation of the right pole of the three main dimensions of interpersonal relationships (Dependence, Alienation and Self-absorption). Subject relations are a counter-pole to the concept of object relations. They describe relationships with other people who are experienced as subjects with their own wishes, interests and needs. Subject relations are a manifestation of the left pole of the main dimensions (Independence, Connectedness and Reciprocity). In this article the author specifically focuses on definitions of object relations in adulthood through a description of six sub-dimensions of object relations: Symbiotic Merging, Separation Anxiety, Social Isolation, Fear of Engulfment, Egocentrism and Narcissism. Every sub-dimension is described in connection to adaptive and pathological functioning. Further research is needed to test the clinical and scientific validity of the model.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, Ljubljana, Slovenia. gregor.zvelc@guest.arnes.si
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zvelc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009289:Narcissism; D009769:Object Attachment; D010553:Personality Development; D012919:Social Behavior