The current status of psychoanalysis

In this paper we comment briefly on the contributions to this journal issue. We also make the following observations regarding the current status of psychoanalysis: (a) As in the past, for the most part, recent psychoanalytic formulations are essentially rich and interesting hypotheses, with little systematic validation; (b) the recent psychoanalytic literature is preoccupied with borderline and narcissistic conditions; (c) empathy and the therapeutic relationship are held to be the essential curative factors in psychoanalytic psychotherapy; (d) early mother-child interactions are heavily emphasized in etiological hypotheses; and (e) preoedipal factors and object relations play an increasing role in theories of psychopathology and of psychological development.