Observing infants together: long-term experiences of observers and families
Article
Papoutsi, V and Fu, C. 2021. Observing infants together: long-term experiences of observers and families. Infant Observation. 24 (1), pp. 4-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13698036.2021.1952094
Authors | Papoutsi, V and Fu, C. |
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Abstract | Infant observation is a key component of many psychotherapy and psychoanalysis training programs. Observers and families have described the intensity of this unique experience. However there has been limited investigation of the subsequent experiences of infant observation on observers and on families who had taken part. In the present study, experiences of observers and families several years following the infant observation period were investigated. We recruited a total of 10 participants, consisting of 7 observers (mean age 53.7 years) and 3 parents (mean age 51.7 years). The length of time since the infant observation was an average of 10.0 years (range 2-16 years). Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the overarching themes and subthemes were explored using thematic analysis. Both observers and families were able to vividly reflect on the infant observation period. All participants reported developing their observation and reflective skills, which observers who work as psychotherapists described as being crucial to their current practices. Participants keenly felt the loss the observation period, with some parents feeling a more unresolved loss. In summary, the experience remains present and impactful for both observers and parents for years following the infant observation period. |
Keywords | infant observation; observers; parents; carers; thematic analysis; endings; long term; psychotherapy; psychoanalysis |
Journal | Infant Observation |
Journal citation | 24 (1), pp. 4-22 |
ISSN | 1745-8943 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Anyone |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/13698036.2021.1952094 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 15 Jul 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 01 Jul 2021 |
Deposited | 12 Jul 2021 |
Copyright holder | © 2021 Taylor & Francis |
Additional information | This is an Accepted Manuscript version of the following article, accepted for publication in Infant Observation. Papoutsi, V and Fu, C. 2021. Observing infants together: long-term experiences of observers and families, Infant Observation, 24 (1), pp.4-22, http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13698036.2021.1952094. It is deposited under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/898z5
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Accepted author manuscript
Revised Manuscript_with author details_submitted.pdf | ||
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
File access level: Anyone |
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