J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.
2019 Jul;30(3):100-108. 10.5765/jkacap.190014.
The Analysis of Self-Mutilation in Adolescence Based on the Theory of Mentalization: From Sukhvinder in the Novel ‘Casual Vacancy’
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunghyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Psychiatry, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University School of Medicine, Ilsan, Korea.
- 4Gajoksarang Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Neomaum Clinic, Ansan, Korea.
- 7Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mompeian@khu.ac.kr
- KMID: 2452879
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.190014
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Adolescence involves a number of developmental processes, as well as unique psychological characteristics and behaviors. An increased rate of internet and game addictions, school violence, and suicide may either represent aspects of adolescence or a psychopathological phenomenon. There is an urgent need to develop software programs that can prevent and resolve adolescent behavioral problems. We applied the mentalization theory to interpret and find solutions for problems faced by adolescent characters in literature.
METHODS
In Joan Rowling's novel "Casual Vacancy," Sukhvinder is a girl with problems representative of those encountered by modern adolescents; she is a victim of bullying and engages in self-mutilation. We targeted her problematic behaviors as representative of a prementalized state.
RESULTS
Born into an upper-class English family with Pakistani origins, Sukhvinder, unlike her siblings, fails her parents' expectations. Whenever she faces a psychological crisis, she regresses into the teleological mode (the most primitive pre-mentalization stage) and regains her sense of self by cutting herself. After her friend's suicide, however, she begins to communicate with her parents and moves toward mentalization.
CONCLUSION
By analyzing Sukhvinder's behavior, we assessed patterns of attachment, empathy, and mentalization, and identified corrective approaches for problematic behaviors. We believe that the presented interpretation may serve as a foundation for the development of models for understanding adolescent deviant behaviors.
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