A Case Report on The Fear of Houseflies in Childhood

Year 2020, , 204 - 228, 22.06.2020

Gizem Minçe , Faruk Gençöz

https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.687561

Abstract

The play therapy context provides a setting that allows for the emergence and symbolization of the underlying causes of phobias in children’s plays. It is possible to understand these fears by the way of interpreting the content of these plays. The underlying meaning of every phobia is related to the subject’s experience, therefore, interpreting the way that the subject expresses his or her fears is important. Thus, focusing on the subjective experience provides a rich source of information about one's fears. Besides, with the help of play therapy, fears observed in childhood may decrease and children may find another way to express their fears. Within this stated framework, this study aimed to explore the “fear of houseflies” of a seven-year-old child named “A.” This fear was one of the reasons that brought A. and her parents to the clinic. Among the conducted play therapy sessions, six of them were chosen to be focused on for this research. These interviews were analyzed with discourse analysis, which is one of the qualitative research methods, and the results were discussed within the scope of psychoanalytic theory. With discourse analysis, certain categories that are previously defined are excluded. In this way, focusing on the subjective expression of the subject’s experience constitutes a rich source of information. The results of the analysis showed that there was a change in A.'s discourse from neglect, competition, and anger to the similarities established with the therapist and subjectivity. In this way, A.'s fear is evaluated within the framework of her subjectivity. This study may contribute to the understanding of the fears that emerge during childhood.

Keywords

play therapy, phobia, qualitative research, discourse analysis

Çocukluk Dönemi Sinek Korkusu Üzerine Bir Vaka Sunumu

Abstract

Çocuklarla yapılan terapötik çalışmalarda, fobilerin temelinde yatan nedenlerin ortaya çıkması ve oyun içinde simgeselleştirilmesi için imkân sağlayan bir ortam vardır. Korkuların anlaşılması, çocuğun oynadığı oyunların değerlendirilmesi yoluyla mümkün olabilir. Her fobinin birey için ne anlama geldiği kişinin kendi yaşantısıyla bağlantılıdır ve kişinin korkularını nasıl ifade ettiğinin öznel olarak değerlendirilmesi söz konusudur. Bu sebeple kişinin öznel deneyimine odaklanılması, kişinin yaşadığı korkularla ilgili çok geniş bir bilgi kaynağı sunmaktadır. Ayrıca çocukluk döneminde görülen korkular oyun seanslarıyla birlikte gerileme gösterebilir ve korkular başka bir yola kanalize olma şansı bulabilir. Bu çerçevede yapılan çalışma, 7 yaşındaki A.’nın vaka öyküsüyle birlikte kliniğe getiriliş sebeplerinden biri olan “sinek korkusu”nun araştırılması amacı taşımaktadır. Araştırma kapsamına uygun 6 görüşme belirlenmiştir. Bu görüşmeler nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan söylem analizi yoluyla incelenmiş ve psikanalitik kuram kapsamında tartışılmıştır. Söylem analizi ile öncesinde oluşturulmuş belirli kategorilerin dışına çıkılır. Bu yolla kişinin deneyiminin öznel anlatımına odaklanılması zengin bir bilgi kaynağı oluşturmaktadır. Bu kapsamda yapılan çalışma sonucunda A.’nın söyleminde ihmal, rekabet ve öfkeden; terapistle kurulan benzerlikler ve öznelliğe doğru bir değişim olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu yolla A.’nın yaşadığı korku, kendi öznelliği çerçevesinde değerlendirilerek çocukluk döneminde ortaya çıkan korkuların anlaşılmasında gelecek çalışmalar için katkı sağlayacağı öngörülmektedir.

Keywords

oyun terapisi, fobi, nitel araştırma, söylem analizi

References

• Alldred, P., & Burman, E. (2005). Analysing children’s accounts using discourse analysis. In S.M. Greene & D.M. Hogan (Eds.) Researching children’s experience: Approaches and methods, 175-198. London: Sage.
• Aull Davies, C. (1999). Reflexive ethnography: A guide to researching selves and others. London: Routledge.
• Avdi, E., & Georgaca, E. (2007). Discourse analysis and psychotherapy: A critical review. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 9(2), 157-176.
• Baltacı, S. ve Gençöz, F. (2019). Psikolojide Lacanyen söylem analizi yaklaşımı: Madde bağımlılığı ve yasa ilişkisinin terapi sürecinde incelenmesi örneği. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, 6(1), 38-62. doi: 10.31682/ayna.482168
• Bromfield, R.N. (2003). Psychoanalytic play therapy. In C.E. Scheafer (Eds.), Foundations of play therapy (pp. 1-13). Haboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
• Burck, C., Frosh, S., Strickland-Clark, L., & Morgan, K. (1998). The process of enabling change: A study of therapist interventions in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 20(3), 253–67.
• Drewes, A. A., & Schaefer, C. E. (2018). Play-Based approaches for treating childhood anxieties. New York: The Guilford Press.
• Edley, N., & Wetherell, M. (1995). Men in perspective: Practice, power and identity. London: Prentice Hall/Harvester Wheatsheaf.
• Freud, S. (1909) Analysis of a phobia of a five year old boy. The Pelican Freud Library, 8(1), 169-306.
• Georgaca, E., & Avdi, E. (2012). Discourse analysis. In A. Thompson, & D. J. Harper (Eds.), Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners (pp. 147-161). Chichester UK: Wiley,.
• Ginott, H. (1959). The theory and practice of therapeutic intervention in child treatment. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 23(2), 160-166.
• Given, L. M. (2008) The SAGE encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore: SAGE.
• Irwin, E. (1983). The diagnostic and therapeutic use of pretend play. In C. E. Schaefer, & K. L. O’Conner (Eds.), Handbook of play therapy (pp. 148-173). New York: Wiley.
• Jacobson, E. (1954). The self and object world. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 9(1), 75-127.
• Jefferson, G. (2004). Glossary of transcript symbols with an introduction. In G.H. Lerner (Ed), Conversation analysis: Studies from the first generation (pp. 13-31). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
• Kogan, S. M., & Gale, J. E. (1997). Decentering therapy: Textual analysis of a narrative therapy session. Family Process, 36(2), 26-101.
• Klein, M. (1975). The psycho-analysis of children. New York: Delacorte, 1932.
• Lacan, J. (1938). La Famille: Les complexes familiaux dans la formation de l’individu. C. Gallagher (Çev.). Family Complexes in the Formation of the Individual. Available at: www.lacaninireland.com
• Lacan, J. (2017). The seminars of Jacques Lacan book IV: The object relation. J.A. Miller (Ed.), R.V.A Roche (Çev.). Cambridge: Polity Press, 1956-1957.
• Lacan, J. (2015). The seminar of Jacques Lacan Book VIII: Transference. J.A. Miller (Ed.), B. Fink (Çev.). MA: Polity, 1960–1961.
• Lacan, J. (2004). The seminar of Jacques Lacan Book X: Anxiety, J.A. Miller (Ed.), A.R. Price (Çev.). MA: Polity, 1962-1963.
• Lacan, J. (2006). The seminar of Jacques Lacan Book XVI: D'un Autre à l'autre. J.A. Miller (Ed.). Paris: Seuil, 1968–1969.
• Lacan, J. (2001). Note sur l’Enfant. In: Autres Écrits. Paris: du Seuil, 1969.
• Lipka, J., Hoffmann, M., Miltner W. H. R., & Straube T. (2014). Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on brain responses to subliminal and supraliminal threat and their functional significance in specific phobia. Society of Biological Psychiatry, 76(11), (pp. 77-869). University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
• Madill, A., & Barkham, M. (1997). Discourse analysis of a theme in one successful case of brief psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 44(2), 232–244.
• Mauthner, N., & Doucet, A. (2003). Reflexive accounts and accounts of reflexivity in qualitative data analysis. Sociology, 37(3), 413–431.
• Mishler, E. G. (1986). Research interviewing: context and narrative. London: Harvard University Press.
• Owens, C., & Quinn S. F. (2017). Lacanian psychoanalysis with children: framing challenges and inventions. In C. Owens, & S. Farrelly (Eds.), Further notes on the child: lacanian psychoanalysis with babies, children and teenagers (pp. 3-15). London: Karnac.
• Parker, I., & The Bolton Discourse Network. (1999). Critical textwork. Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Parker, I. (2015). Psychology after discourse analysis: Concepts, methods, critique. London: Routledge.
• Punnett, A. F. (2015). Psychoanalytic and Jungian Play Therapy. In K.J. O’Connor, C.E. Schaefer, & L.D. Braverman (Eds.), Handbook of play therapy, (pp. 61-92). Haboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
• Ritchie, J., & Lewis, J. (2003). Generalising from Qualitative Research. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers (pp. 263-287). London: Sage.