Andre P. Derdeyn

Two Cases of Children of Homosexuals

The literature is reviewed with reference to parental attitudes related to homosexuality, sex role typing, and object choice. Two cases of children of opposite-sexed homosexual parents are presented with projective testing indicating difficulties with gender role identity. It is our impression that the manifestation of sexual conflict in these homosexual parents expressed in attitudes and behavior toward the child is not unique and does not differ significantly from that of the heterosexual parent who has sexual conflicts. More long-term data are necessary to help us understand the influences of parental homosexuality on the growing child.

A Stepfamily in Formation

The increasing incidence of stepparenthood requires that mental health clinicians develop skills for helping members of two families form a viable new family unit. This paper conceptualizes stages in the development of the reconstituted family. Case material describes a scapegoated child as the focus of conflict in one familys progression through these stages.

GRANDPARENT VISITATION RIGHTS: Rendering Family Dissension More Pronounced?

Legislation allowing grandparents to file suit to gain court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren is now law in most states. Legal issues and reported cases are presented, and problems for children and families that are posed by this sort of legal conflict are outlined.

Adoption. The rights of parents versus the best interests of their children.

Abstract Adoption for the benefit of children is a relatively recent historical development which continues to be influenced by the concept of children as the property of their biological parents. Courts cannot make objective findings that a child is abandoned, is in need of an adoptive home, or is in fact already a member of a family which does not include his biological parents. The courts attention is first directed to terminating parental rights, which can be accomplished only in extremes of parental behavior. Substantial changes in current practices can occur primarily through new legislation stipulating that the interests of children are to be at least equal to the rights of their parents.

Case Study: Use of a Horror Film in Psychotherapy

Modern improvements in the technology of cinematic special effects have ushered in a new genre of vivid and graphic horror film. The numerous sequels of these films attest to their popularity among adolescents and young adults. Considerable concern has arisen on the part of parents, professionals, and policymakers regarding adverse effects of these films upon children. The authors discuss the meaning of a horror film to a troubled 13-year-old boy and describe the use of the film in his psychotherapy. The modern horror film serves many of the same functions for the adolescent that the traditional fairy tale serves for the younger child.

The Physician's Work and Marriage

Medicine and personality characteristics of its practitioners pose for physicians unique hazards to emotional health and marital satisfaction. The attempt to meet too many emotional needs in work may preclude adequate attention to personal and family problems. The physician should be more aware of his own and his familys emotional needs, and be less threatened by less-than-perfect adjustment in himself or other family members. Suggestions include: teaching psychiatry on a developmental and adaptational model; offering marital groups in medical school; and encouraging the process of marital contracting and the use of marital therapy when emotional problems arise in either spouse. The understanding and resolution of emotional distress of one marital partner often requires the involvement of both, as people intimately attached to each other tend to have neither problems nor solutions in isolation.

A reflection of cultural change

Abstract Issues of child custody in divorce can be usefully considered in the light of cultural and social change. Divorce itself was an unusual and reprehensible event just over a 100 years ago. The tradition of English common law regarding the fathers right to custody and the duty to support prevailed in the early years of this country. In conjunction with an increasing social concern for children, women developed a right to custody far superior to that of fathers by the early 20th century. This was in part made possible by fathers becoming liable for support of children not in their custody even if the custodial mother was “at fault”; for the divorce. The recent interest in and advancement of womens equal rights has worked to womens disadvantage with regard to custody. Fathers are now approaching an equal right to custody and mothers are being held to be equally responsible for child support. As a result of these changes, courts are no longer able to rely upon traditional formulas, and are being for...

Drawings as a Therapeutic Medium The Treatment of Separation Anxiety in a 4-Year-Old Boy

This paper describes a 4-year-old boy whose presenting problem was anxiety. The treatment used is of particular interest because of the graphic exposition of the development of the therapeutic alliance, the immediacy of the Oedipal issues, and the usefulness of the childs drawings as a therapeutic medium. The phases of therapy are reflected in the drawings, as is identification with the therapist and the integration of loss when patient and therapist terminate.

Child custody consultation in abuse and neglect: a practical guide.

Mental health professionals are being asked with increasing frequency to consult to the courts regarding custody in cases of suspected abuse and neglect. This paper provides practical guidelines for evaluation of these families in order to maximize the effectiveness of consultation and minimize common pitfalls usually encountered with such evaluations. The authors offer suggestions for structuring the evaluation, dealing with family reisitances, writing the report and testifying in court. It is the hope that with such practical guidelines, other mental health professionals will be willing to attempt such consultations and will be able to structure them in such a way that they can be carried out efficiently and effectively, benefiting not only the courts, but the children and their families as well.

The Child Psychiatrist Treating Physicians' Families

Abstract Medical families often are provided less than optimal child psychiatric service. The reasons largely relate to professional and countertransference attitudes of the child psychiatrist. The difficulties that commonly face a child psychiatrist asked to evaluate and treat a child of a medical collegeague are described. A more open sharing of these issues should facilitate the child therapists work with families of health care providers.