Getty Images / Images by Tang Ming Tung
Object relations theory is centered on our internal relationships with others.
Objects refer to people or physical items that symbolically represent a person or part of a person.
Object relations, then, are our internalized relationships with those people.
Getty Images / Images by Tang Ming Tung
Internal Objects
An internal object is our psychological and emotional impression of a person.
Consequently, the internal object greatly impacts our relationship with the person that it represents.
Infants begin to learnobject constancywhen their parents leave for a short time and then return.
As children mature, they begin to spend longer periods of time away from their parents.
Separation anxietyandfear of abandonmentare common in people who have not successfully developed a sense of object constancy.
Whole Object Relations
Another important concept in object relations theory is the idea of whole object relations.
This idea suggests that people can view people as an integrated and stable whole.
This includes both the positive and negative qualities of a person.
A person lacking whole object relations may hold a “split” view of other people.
History of Object Relations Theory
The theory emerged as a variation ofFreudian psychoanalytic theory.
Object relations theory developed during the late 1920s and 1930s and shaped psychoanalytic theory during the 1970s.
Her work diverged from Freud’s theory, which stressed how controlling sexual urges influenced development.
Instead, Klein believed that the early months of infancy significantly influenced development.
He also indicated that children internalize their early experiences.
Object relations theory also influenced John Bowlby’sattachment theory, which stresses the vital impact of early childhood bonds.
Uses for Object Relations Theory
Object relations therapy is an approach rooted in object relations theory.
It seeks to help people improve their relationships with others.
This therapy approach may help people experiencing problems in their relationships.
Understanding their emotions and internalized beliefs can help people develop a healthier approach to their social relationships.
People can work to replace these ideas withhealthier expectationsfor howinterpersonaland romantic relationships should work.
Object relations theory is sometimes used to treatphobias, particularly those that focus on our relationships with people.
National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
2021;12:583743. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.583743
Siegel JP.Digging deeper: An object relations couple therapy update.Fam Process.
2020;59(1):10-20. doi:10.1111/famp.12509
