Fairbairn and the Origins of Object Relations

One of the most significant psychoanalytic theorists in the past 50 years, W. Ronald D. Fairbairn has had a profound influence in almost every area of contemporary theory and practice. Filling a gap in the literature, this important new work features chapters by major analytic thinkers and clinicians who explore Fairbairn's contributions and the influence his thinking has had upon their work. The book opens with an introduction by the editors, a review of Fairbairn's achievements in the context of modern psychoanalytic theory by John D. Sutherland, and a synopsis of object relations theory written by Fairbairn himself. The second part of the book, which provides an overview of object relations theory and an in-depth look at Fairbairn's endopsychic structure, includes chapters by major theorists. Otto F. Kernberg discusses the theory and challenge of Fairbairn's basic concepts; Stephen A. Mitchell compares Fairbairn's "object" to that of Melanie Klein; Thomas H. Ogden elucidates the concept of internal object relations; and James S. Grotstein comments on Fairbairn's metapsychology. Similarly, Fairbairn's endopsychic structure is examined by Richard L. Rubens, Grotstein, and Arnold H. Modell, who comment, respectively, on the nature of the structural theory, the relationship between endopsychic structure and the cartography of the internal world, and the communication of affects. Bridging theory with practice, the third part presents four clinical formulations of Fairbairnian theory by Neville Symington, Eleanore M. Armstrong-Perlman, Victoria Hamilton, and Judith M. Hughes and the fourth part provides a discussion of Fairbairn's contributions to understanding disorders of the self,illustrated with specific case material. Included is a reconsideration of Fairbairn's "original object" and "original ego" in relation to borderline and other self disorders by Donald B. Rinsley, a commentary on "narcissism" in Fairbairn's theory of personality structure by John Padel, and a Fairbairnian object relations perspective on self psychology by Michael Robbins. Finally, Grotstein provides a unique summary that focuses on the legacy of Fairbairn and the implications of his theory for current and future study. Of special note are the book's extensive appendices, which include a list of Fairbairn's main papers, contributions related to Fairbairn, and a glossary of Fairbairn's concepts and terminology. This volume will be valued by psychoanalysts, students of psychoanalytic theory, psychiatric residents, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and other professionals in the mental health field. It serves both as a primary text for courses on object relations theory and as a supplementary text for recommended reading.