Pseudomaturity in the Developmental Line of Object Relations

In four clinical cases, the particular form of the child’s pseudomaturity recollects the image of the lost parental figure, thereby enhancing attachment to the remaining parent. Forces that sustain this defense mechanism include actual family instability as well as separation anxiety aroused by the child’s anger and resentment. Reaction formation against childlike characteristics helps to drive the memory of loss from awareness, and protects against the fear of a fresh abandonment. At the same time, projective identification interferes with the satisfaction of dependency in new relationships.