Balier's French Narcissistic Theory of Ageing

Developments and Perspectives

Bibliographic Data

ID5835585
AuthorsFranck Rexand-Galais (0000-0002-6044-3933, Université d'Angers), Johane Le Goff (Université Lumière Lyon 2)
Year2020
Volume11
Pages113
Publication date2020-01-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-1078 • E-ISSN: 1664-1078
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00113
PMID32082233
OpenAlexW3004242742
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited29

Claude Balier's narcissistic theory of aging may be one of the pillars of French psycho-gerontology, but it is certainly not set in stone. On closer inspection, instead of being just minor variations on the same theme, the three stages of its development are structured around different references and make different assumptions. Some even contradict each other. Balier's theory nevertheless finds unity in its non-involutionary view of aging. Narcissism and narcissistic destiny are given a central role, thus calling into question the notion that the paradigmatic function of transference neurosis can account for neurosis in old age. For more than 40 years, Balier's innovative notions have been the subject of many and sometimes divergent extensions in French psycho-gerontology

Neurosis · Theme (computing · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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