Children have different ways than adults in dealing with life traumas, such as childhood abuse, loss, and stresses (Klausen & Passman, 2007). Imaginary companions help children in coping because it allows them to think through imagination, where they can understand their negative feelings better through personification (as cited in Klausen & Passman, 2007). Therefore, imaginary companions could be understood in the context of psychoanalytic theories as a form of defense mechanisms that protect the child from developing psychological problems. It represents a sophisticated way in dealing with stresses that challenge children’s emotions and comprehension of the world (Friedberg, 1995).
References
Friedberg, R. (1995). Allegorical lives: Children and their imaginary companions. Child Study Journal, 25(1), 1. Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=14&sid=0938cb53-9749-481c-b3dd- 8d122a7f1f0b%40sessionmgr14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=950 7266733
Klausen, E., Passman, R. (2007). Pretend Companions (imaginary Playmates): The Emergence of a Field. The Journal of Genetic Psychology,167(4), 349-364. doi: 10.3200/GNTP. 167.4.349-364.
Still life. Retrieved on October 29, 2010, from: http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs29/f/2008/126/a/3/imaginary_friends_by_oki_oki.jpg
Wow, this really reminded of the movie we talked about (drop dead fred) :P the girl in the movie really needed her imaginary friend because of the problems she was going through..
ReplyDeleteDeveloping an imaginary friend does not always mean that the child has been abused, since there are many cases where those children suffer from certain mental disabilities resulting in excessive imaginative abilities.
ReplyDeletei think Farah is right. Developing an imaginary friend can sometimes be the result of certain mental disabilities.
ReplyDeleteHowever abuse and loss as has been said are the two most important factors for developing an imaginary friend.