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Abstract Object relations theory is an offshoot of psychoanalytic theory that emphasizes interpersonal relations, primarily in the family and especially between mother and child. ”Object” actually means person, and especially the significant person that is the object or target of another’s feelings or intentions. ”Relations” refers to interpersonal relations and suggests the residues of past relationships that affect a person in the present. Object relations theorists are interested in inner images of the self and other and how they manifest themselves in interpersonal situations. Kohut’s ”self psychology” is an offshoot of object relations (Daniels, 2007). Object relations theory was actively being pioneered throughout the 1940s and 50’s by British psychologists Ronald Fairbairn, Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Harry Guntrip, and others. The overall aim of this study was to investigate the research question: “How can the basic principles of object relations theories be elaborated, applied and worked through in dynamic integrative group therapy?” The material for the current research was derived from sessions of the therapy groups for both adult female and difficult adult female patients. Data collection started from 21-2-2011 and ended by 9-6-2013. Analysis of the selected interactions was done using a modified version of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analysis of the transcripts using IPA was performed in six steps: 1- Looking for themes. 2- Connecting the themes. 3- Tabling of the themes. 4- Continuing the analysis with other sessions. 5- master tabling of themes (forming master tables). 6- Writing Up. Analysis of the studied group transcripts showed a rich amount of emerging themes from sides of the therapist, trainees, and group members in regard to the core basic principles of object relations theory. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the data, the researcher has reached some clinically based formulations in the following domains: A- Psychopathological Process B- Psychotherapeutic Process. |