Anna Freud, psychoanalysis of child psychology

Anna Freud (December 3, 1895 - October 9, 1982) was the sixth daughter of the famous psychologist Sigmund Freud. Born in Vienna, Austria, Anna soon followed her father's path and contributed to areas that were still new in that period - psychoanalysis. She is known to be a pioneer in child psychology.

When she was 15, she began to love reading her father's psychological studies and dreamed of publishing a book about dreams. Anna Freud graduated from high school at Lyceum Cottage school in Vienna (Austria) in 1912, but then she suffered from depression.

Freud's father and son were in Italy in 1913 (Photo: TL)

After living with her grandmother in Italy for a while, Anna returned to Austria in 1914 and began teaching at her old school. Here, she participated in researches on psychoanalysis with her father. This created a turning point in her career later.

In 1923, Anna Freud began conducting child psychology research and two years later she was taught child psychology analysis techniques at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Training Institute. In the following years, she published many books and participated in seminars on child psychological analysis.

To study, observe and treat child psychology, Anna Freud has set up a team to analyze psychological processes in children (including Erik Erikson, Edith Jacobson and Margaret Mahler). They found that adult behavioral disorders are associated with each stage of childhood development. Anna Freud and colleagues said parents are of great importance in the child's development process.

Anna Freud scientist over five months (Photo: Malaspina)

In addition to the study of child psychology, Anna Freud also participated in research in psychoanalysis with her father. Her point is to emphasize the importance of self - to respect the I. She has studied the importance of ego functions and the concept of self-defense.

But in the last year of her life, Anna Freud regularly went to the United States to teach and visit friends. In addition, she also participated in charitable activities to help disadvantaged children and society, especially children with behavioral disorders due to lack of parental care.

The published books of Anna Freud

Freud, Anna (1966–1980). The Writings of Anna Freud: 8 Volumes. New York: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (These volumes include most of Freud's papers.)

1. Vol. 1. Introduction to Psychoanalysis: Lectures for Child Analysts and Teachers (1922-1935)
2. Vol. 2. Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense (1936); (Revised edition: 1966 (US), 1968 (UK))
3. Vol. 3. Infants Without Families Reports on Anna Freud's Hampstead Nurseries
4. Vol. 4. Indications for Child Analysis and Other Papers (1945–1956)
5. Vol. 5. Research at the Hampstead Child-Therapy Clinic and Other Papers: (1956–1965)
6. Vol. 6. Normality and Pathology in Childhood: Assessments of Development (1965)
7. Vol. 7. Problems of Psychoanalytic Training, Diagnosis, and the Technique of Therapy (1966–1970)
8. Vol. 8. Psychoanalytic Psychology of Normal Development

Freud in collaboration with Sophie Dann: An Experiment in Group Upbringing, in: The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, VI, 1951. [37] Một số của 3-năm hai nhóm - cũ former Terezin children được xác định với sự điều kiện các nhóm, psychological problems and adaption. (Information taken from Biography Erna Furman)

A major Freudian psychological criticism is the lack of experimental-based discoveries that need to be applied in laboratories. But Anna wanted her research work based on experiments.

Anna Freud, a psychoanalyst for children, is really a shining example for those who have the soul and enthusiasm for the psychological development of children.