A relational use of the internal saboteur

Bibliographic Data

ID20480596
AuthorsRobert I Watson (corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-4
Publication date2026-03-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Forum of Psychoanalysis (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0803-706X • E-ISSN: 1651-2324
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0803706x.2025.2612063
OpenAlexW7138195354
LanguageEN
References cited7

Dissociative aspects of the personality are key components of both relational and object relations psychoanalytic theory. This paper proposes that one aspect of object relations theory, Fairbairn’s internal saboteur, can greatly aid our relational psychoanalytic theory and clinical work. The concept of the internal saboteur can help our understanding of self-defeating behavior and resistance to attachment in our patients. Examples are presented in which the internal saboteur attacks what Fairbairn would term the libidinal ego and object and the central ego. The internal saboteur attacks these egos and object because of a threat to its power and so it can maintain its attachment to the rejecting object. All of theses’ internal dynamics can be played out in our patients pushing away attachment and positive emotions such as success. The internal saboteur can also be an aid in conceptualizing why it is so difficult to bridge the gap between polarized groups in our society. The internal saboteur can act to block thoughts or actions that could lead to greater attachment to “others” in the society. In both individual and societal cases the internal saboteur can be a component in why positive attachment, feelings, and collaborative interactions are often resisted and defeated

Id, ego and super-ego · Internal conflict · Object relations theory · Personality · Psychoanalytic theory · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Critical Realism in Sociology · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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