Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the effects of parent loss, looking initially at the voluminous and significant research regarding institutionalized children, and children who have lost a parent by death> In contrast to the considerable literature and information about these child populations, less has been written regarding the abandoned child. Otto Kernberg's and Heinz Kohut's newer theories of the psychology of the self, and narcissistic personality disturbances are viewed as providing useful new insights about the abandoned child population. Two cases are presented, followed by application of Kohut's and Kernberg's treatment approaches. These newer treatment interventions offer more optimism for work with abandoned children, who are an ever increasing population.
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Mishne, J. Parental abandonment: A unique form of loss and narcissistic injury. Clin Soc Work J 7, 15–33 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00761356
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00761356