“I found the work to be clear and very well written. Moreover, the link between psychoanalytic theory and adolescent development seemed quite enlightening, providing a perspective that few students receive in undergraduate course work. The depth and nature of its content brings a clearer understanding to the many issues that face not only adolescents, but their parents as well.”

—Joseph F. Imburgia, Moraine Valley Community

CHARACTER FORMATION AND IDENTITY IN ADOLESCENCE
Clinical and Developmental Issues

Randolph L. Lucente, Loyola University

Randolph Lucente examines the development of character in the adolescent stage, the process of a second separation-individuation, and ways to treat the adolescent client. Character Formation and Identity in Adolescence draws on psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory as well as neuropsychobiology to explain the adolescent transition to an adult sense of self. The clinical material features in-depth case vignettes that include clients on the borderline/narcissistic spectrum with arrests in separation-individuation substages and insecure early attachments. Therapeutic attunements that are affect-regulating, mentalizing, and mindsight-oriented are featured in each of these clinical vignettes and suggest outcomes that potentiate vertical as well as bilateral cerebral hemispheric integrations. The book contains a synthesis of the theories of psychoanalysis, psychodynamics, self psychology, neurobiology, and the concepts of intersubjectivity, attachment-differentiation, narcissism, and affect regulation.

Features

• Case vignettes derived from clinical experience
• A closing discussion on the role of the clinician in research and data collection

Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1. Adolescent Development and Clinical Process
            Identity
            The Ego Ideal
            Character Formation
            Intersubjectivity and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Chapter 2. Narcissism, Character Formation, and Separation-Individuation
            Narcissism and Ideals: Ego Psychology
            The Ontogeny of the Ego Ideal
            Narcissism and Ideals: Self Psychology
            Empathy, Intersubjectivity, and Neurobiology
            Case Illustration
            The Mirroring and Merger Selfobject Transferences

Chapter 3. Splitting, Differentiation, and Identity
            Attachment-Differentiation: Identity and Character Formation
            Identification and Differentiation in Treatment
            Discussion
            Splitting and Identity Confusion
            Reflections on the Treatment Process

Chapter 4. Affect Regulation and the True Self
            Affect Regulation: Primary and Secondary Emotional Experience
            Unconscious Metaphorical Thought
            Case Illustrations

Chapter 5. Qualitative Clinical Inquiry
            Sampling
            Internal Validity
            Summary

References
Index

About the Author

Randolph L. Lucente (MSW, PhD, University of Illinois, Chicago) is professor of social work at Loyola University in Chicago. He has been teaching for more than twenty years and maintains a private practice treating adults, adolescents, and children. He has published numerous articles on development and identity in adolescents.

2012 paperback, 168 pages, ISBN 978-1-933478-69-2,  $39.95