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Destructive Groups: The Role of Projective Identification in Suicidal Groups of Young People
Author(s) -
Goldblatt Mark J.,
Briggs Stephen,
Lindner Reinhard
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1752-0118
pISSN - 0265-9883
DOI - 10.1111/bjp.12134
Subject(s) - projective identification , psychology , projective test , psychodynamics , unconscious mind , perspective (graphical) , identification (biology) , etiology , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , psychoanalysis , psychiatry , psychoanalytic theory , botany , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology
Group suicidal behaviour by young people has been attracting increasing worldwide attention, but the subject has rarely been studied from a clinical or psychodynamic perspective. Although etiological factors are not well understood, unconscious as well as conscious group processes likely contribute to self‐destructive actions. In this article we discuss the role of projective identification in the development of suicidal behaviour by individuals who are part of a destructive group. We consider how these factors may operate, illustrated through a case description of a young man involved with a group of high‐school students that included at least four who made serious suicide attempts. Recognition and understanding of these forms of communication have important implications for clinical practice and suicide prevention.