Solly Dreman

The Influence of Divorce on Children

Abstract This paper is a review of childrens postdivorce adjustment in relation to individual, familial, social and cultural contingencies. A systems perspective is adopted with childrens adjustment being viewed as a dynamic ongoing process and causation perceived as circular. Research, interventive and treatment implications are discussed in this framework.

A Review of Directionality Trends in the Horizontal Dimension as a Function of Innate and Environmental Factors

This report reviews research on directionality trends in the horizontal dimension. The literature reviewed shows that such trends are predominantly a function of handedness and acquired reading-writing habits and that innate directional tendencies of left-handers are more influenced by acquired habits than those of right-handers. It is suggested that these trends may reflect some aspect of lateralization of cerebral function and that in mature adults the mixed-dominance left-handers are more influenced by environmental factors than are right-handers. Suggestions for future research include utilization of larger samples of left-handers and employment of longitudinal studies which systematically vary handedness and reading and writing habits. It is also suggested that controls for lateral dominance should be established. In addition it is suggested that reading and writing habits can be broken down into component parts and that their influence on directionality should be examined.

Coping with the trauma of divorce

This paper presents research and clinical findings regarding how people cope with traumatic events. In the short run people may cope with trauma by trying to maintain the status quo via utilization of familiar behavioral repertoires and defensive behaviors like denial. While this strategy may control initial stress and anxiety, it could eventually lead to long-term maladjustment since it does not take account of altered post-traumatic realities requiring attitudinal and behavioral change. A review of clinical observations and research findings on divorce suggests that it is also a traumatic event, with divorcing parents resembling other post-traumatic victims in their initial utilization of defensive behaviors. It was suggested that cognitive-emotional integration of post-traumatic realities becomes possible when the initially high levels of stress and anxiety associated with the traumatic events subsides. Clinical and research implication of these coping processes and their relationship to adjustment are discussed.

Children of victims of terrorist activities: A family approach to dealing with tragedy

Abstract The present report deals with the treatment of families of victims of terrorist activities. Such families are subject to an initial crisis situation involving severe stress as well as disruption in family role structure and homeo-stasis. Much of the trauma precipitated by such events is a result of their suddenness, their salience in the public consciousness and the consequent stigma they produce towards survivors and/or relatives of victims. A number of specific issues were common in the two case studies presented in this report as well as in other families affected by terrorism. These included dealing with the need to be a superparent and correcting unrealistic expectations, teaching effective limit setting including giving permission to be a parent, giving permission to be an adult, dealing with guilt and phobic reactions as well as family and network reorganization. Therapy concentrated on promoting family strengths and coping and deemphasized individual pathology. Common to most families tre...

Sex-role stereotyping in mental health standards in Israel

Investigated sex-role stereotyping in mental health standards in Israel in a sample of 60 nonclients, 60 clients and 60 psychotherapists. Recent studies of sex-role stereotypes in America have shown that males still maintain traditional stereotypes and perceive the healthy adult female as more stereotypically feminine than either the healthy male or adult. Women, however, have changed their traditional perceptions toward female mental health and now rate the healthy adult female as similar to the healthy adult male and the healthy adult. In contrast to the recent American findings, female therapists in the Israeli study viewed the healthy female as significantly more stereotypically feminine than the healthy male. Male therapists were more equalitarian in their ratings and surprisingly rated the healthy male as significantly more feminine than did female therapists. These findings are discussed in terms of cross-cultural differences. Congruency of client-therapist sex-linked mental health standards also are examined and the implications for the therapeutic process discussed.

The Yom Kippur War: The Soldier on the Front and His Family.

Abstract The present report illustrates how uncertainty, continued stress and the transient “commuter” role of the soldier in the Yom Kippur War led to psychological disequilibrium on both the individual and familial level. On the individual level such phenomena as anger outbursts, apathy, depression and secondary impotence were observed and reported. These were often relieved through group discussions in the soldiers unit about the universality of such reactions to stress. On the familial level regressive behaviors, disciplinary problems, spouse conflict and diffuse anxiety were among the phenomena reported. In group discussions with soldiers and their spouses, it was suggested that candid and clear communication about the father-soldiers whereabouts and the nature of his military duties were necessary to prevent regression and permit active coping behavior. Conflicting expectations and role change resulting from the war situation were discussed in terms of how these might affect the familys functioni...

Children in transition and crisis

Abstract This article examines childrens coping and adjustment in the face of transition or crisis from an interactional point of view. Neither individual characteristics or interpersonal/situational factors are sufficient to explain childrens longterm adjustment. It is rather the interaction between individual characteristics together with changing interpersonal and other environmental influences which are necessary to understand coping and adjustment over time. Research and clinical observations are presented which support this argument.

Consultation between Child Psychiatry and Otolaryngology: A Case of Esophageal Stenosis

In contrast to traditional “interdisciplinary” methods of consultation where independent assessment and treatment are carried out by different treating agencies, the “ecological” approach involves continuing cooperation between all systems affecting the maintenance of the symptom in the patient-biological, psychological, individual, familial, social and community. The present case demonstrates how such an ecological approach resulted in the effective removal of symptoms in a 9-year-old child with intermittent esophageal stenosis. While there had been earlier consultations in the “interdisciplinary” sense by both the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat and the Department of Child Psychiatry, it was only when the family and all disciplines working with them were brought together on the same physical premises face to face that directives became fused and united. This enabled the family to mobilize its resources and effectively deal with its problems, resulting in the alleviation of the manifest symptoms.