Abstract
The article explores the use of the imaginary companion by normal children, two to five years of age. Some existing literature on the imaginary companion is reviewed. Three case presentations demonstrate the use of the imaginary companion and its effect on ego development.
Major findings are the prevalence of the mechanism of splitting and the use of the imaginary companion as transitional phenomenon by the children. An ensuing discussion relates an object relations understanding of the normal developmental use of splitting and transitional phenomena to the case presentations. The imaginary companion is viewed as a transitional self on the developmental lines of narcissism and object relations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bensen, R., & Pryor, D. (1973). When friends fall out: Developmental interference with the function of some imaginary companions.Journal of American Psychoanalytic Association, 21, 457–473.
Block, D. (1979). The birth and death of a defensive fantasy.The Psychoanalytic Review, 66.
Blos, P. (1962).On adolescence. New York: The Free Press.
Bychowski, G. (1956). The release of internal images.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 37, 331–338.
Fraiberg, S. (1959).The magic years. New York: Charles Scribner & Sons.
Hong, M. (1978). The transitional phenomena.The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 33; 47–79.
Hurlock, E. B., & Burnstein, M. (1932). The imaginary playmate: A questionnaire study.Journal of Genetic Psychology, 41; 380–392.
Jacobson, E. (1964).Self and the object world. New York: International University Press.
Kernberg, O. (1966). Structured derivatives of object relations.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 47; 236–253.
Kernberg, O. (1976).Object relations theory and clinical psychoanalysis. New York: Jason Aronson.
Lasker, M. (1977).Imaginary companions and transitional objects: Narcissistic guardians of children. Northampton: Smith College Studies in Social Work.
Littledale, H. (1964).Alexander. New York: Parents' Magazine Press.
Mahler, M. S., Pine, F., & Bergman, A. (1975).Psychological birth of the human infant. New York: Basic Books.
Manosevitz, M., Prentice, N., & Wilson, F. (1973). Individual and family correlates of imaginary companions in preschool children.Developmental Psychology, 8;72–79.
Myers, W. (1979). Imaginary companions in childhood and adult creativity.Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 48, 292–307.
Nagera, H. (1969). The imaginary companion: Its significance for ego development and conflict solution.Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 24;165–196.
Shaefer, C. (1969). Imaginary companions and creative adolescents.Developmental Psychology, 1; 747–749.
Segal, H. (1964).Introduction to the work of Melanie Klein. New York: Basic Books.
Sperling, O. (1954). An imaginary companion, representing a prestage of the superego.Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 9;252–258.
Svendsen, O. (1934). Children's imaginary companions.Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry, 2;316–352.
Winnicott, D. (1953). Transitional objects and transitional phenomena.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 34;89–97.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klein, B.R. A child's imaginary companion: A transitional self. Clin Soc Work J 13, 272–282 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754652
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754652