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Chapter 5    Klein: Object Relations Theory169
benefit oftherapeutic treatment, whereas healthy children would profit from apro-
phylactic analysis. Consistent withthisbelief, sheinsisted thatherownchildren be
analyzed. Shealsoinsisted thatnegative transference wasanessential steptoward suc-
cessful treatment, aviewnotshared byAnna Freud andmany other psychoanalysts.
Tofoster negative transference andaggressive fantasies, Klein provided each
child withavariety ofsmall toys,pencil andpaper, paint, crayons, andsoforth. She
substituted play therapy forFreudian dream analysis andfreeassociation, believing 
thatyoung children express theirconscious andunconscious wishes through play
therapy. Inaddition toexpressing negative transference feelings asmeans ofplay, 
Klein’s young patients often attacked herverbally, which gaveheranopportunity to
interpret theunconscious motives behind these attacks (Klein, 1943).
TheaimofKleinian therapy istoreduce depressive anxieties andpersecu -
toryfears andtomitigate theharshness ofinternalized objects. Toaccomplish this
aim,Klein encouraged herpatients toreexperience early emotions andfantasies but
thistimewiththetherapist pointing outthedifferences between reality andfantasy, 
between conscious andunconscious. Shealsoallowed patients toexpress bothposi-
tiveandnegative transference, asituation thatisessential forpatients’ understanding 
ofhowunconscious fantasies connect withpresent everyday situations. Once this
connection ismade, patients feellesspersecuted byinternalized objects, experience 
reduced depressive anxiety, andareabletoproject previously frightening internal 
objects ontotheouter world.
Related Research
Both object relations theory andattachment theory havesparked agreat dealof
empirical research. Studies show thatattachment styles playasignificant rolein
thepersonality development ofchildren. Forexample, children whoweresecurely 
attached infants show higher well-being andstronger friendships thanthose whowere
insecurely attached (e.g., Madigan, Atkinson, Laurin, &Benoit, 2013;  McElwain, 
Booth-LaForce, &Wu,2011). Perhaps more impressively, studies show thatour
attachment styleininfancy canevenpredict important things about whoweareas
adults. Forexample, onelongitudinal study followed infants toyoung adulthood (age
20–23) andshowed thatthose withsecure attachment styles hadmore positive daily 
emotional experiences andlessdifficulty coping withnegative emotions aroused in
romantic relationship conflicts (Simpson, Collins, Tran, &Haydon, 2007).
Stillother research examines adult populations andhasshown theways early 
trauma maydisrupt adult relationships andhasextended attachment theory toa
widerange ofadult relationships, including romantic, parental, andleader–follower 
relationships.
Childhood Trauma and Adult Object Relations
Object relations theory presumes thatthequality ofyoung children’s relationships 
withtheircaregivers isinternalized asamodel forlaterinterpersonal relations. A
great dealofresearch hasexplored theimpact ofchildhood trauma andabuse onadult 
object relational functioning, andwhether these experiences predict pathological Final PDF to printer