The group as a transitional experience

Journal title GRUPPI
Author/s Virginia Lanfranchi
Publishing Year 2012 Issue 2011/1 Language Italian
Pages 12 P. 63-74 File size 218 KB
DOI 10.3280/GRU2011-001007
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Adolescence is not simply considered to be a transitional stage from childhood to adulthood, but as one of the main evolutionary landmarks in life, in which childhood identification is restructured to acquire new identification, within an identity that integrates sexual development. In the article, the author stresses the fundamental role peer groups play in adolescents, in favouring and supporting the subjectivization process they again have to go through, functioning as transitional areas in which feelings of discontinuity and loneliness are to be tolerated and, at the same time, projection and introjection of the Self are to be experienced with the aim of constructing new identification. The therapeutic group thus offers an opportunity for the recovery of the psychic position that calls to mind the transitional space - as defined by Winnicott - in which symbolic thought and the ability to relate to external reality and to others develops in a personal and significant way. Therefore, the adolescent process becomes paradigmatic in terms of the ability to go through all stages of change in adulthood.

Keywords: Adolescence, group, therapy, transitional space, Self construction, change.

Virginia Lanfranchi, Il gruppo come esperienza di transizione in "GRUPPI" 1/2011, pp 63-74, DOI: 10.3280/GRU2011-001007