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Regressive one-to-one relationships

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Summary

A common clinical picture of regressive attachment in twosomes is described. Relationships involving such attachments are characterized by regressive needs, inhibition of other object relationships, and ambivalence—all of which produce frustrations within the relationship itself. Such lack of gratifications tends to produce an intense need for separation, which is intermingled with separation anxiety. Various types of one-to-one relationships are described, and four case histories are presented. The differentiation between neurotic and non-neurotic one-to-ones is discussed.

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Scheflen, A.E. Regressive one-to-one relationships. Psych Quar 34, 692–709 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01562584

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01562584

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