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The counterphobic defense in children

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Abstract

The clinical data for this study were derived from the case histories of five children who consistently used the counterphobic defense either alone or in combination with phobic attitudes. The children's manifestations of this defense appeared in both verbal and nonverbal behavioral patterns. The choice of defensive style was found related to at least three factors: an early history of trauma, especially separation, parental encouragement of “toughness,” and essentially a counterphobic family style.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Psychiatric Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Eiva Poznanski M.D. (Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Staff Psychiatrist) & Bettie Arthur Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Assistant Chief Psychologist)

  2. University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Eiva Poznanski M.D. (Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Staff Psychiatrist) & Bettie Arthur Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Assistant Chief Psychologist)

Authors
  1. Eiva Poznanski M.D.
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  2. Bettie Arthur Ph.D.
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Poznanski, E., Arthur, B. The counterphobic defense in children. Child Psych Hum Dev 1, 178–191 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01433642

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01433642

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