[Mother-child relationship and psychosocial dwarfism]

Abstract

Results of a study of 11 children presenting what is known as psychosocial dwarfism are discussed. Clinical observations and projective tests (Rorschach) show the crux of the problem within the mother-child relationship to originate in reciprocal feeling of hate between mother and child. This hatred constantly manifests itself in daily life through acts and behaviour rather than through verbal expression. These results are in agreement with our findings in the psychotherapies of one child and one mother. Characterizing the mother-child relationship as ont of aggressiveness and hatred fits with other author's findings who describe the mother's neglect and rejection. However we think it is more adequate as it applies to both ends of the relation: mother on one hand, child on the other.