EGO CATHEXIS: A Review
Introduction
The concept of ego cathexis is often used in psychoanalytic literature to refer to the unconscious investment of energy into maintaining a sense of self. This energy is directed toward protecting the ego from the anxiety caused by external stimuli or internal conflicts. In this review, we will discuss the concept of ego cathexis, its implications, and its applications in psychotherapy. We will also provide a brief overview of the research on ego cathexis and discuss the implications of this research for clinicians.
Definition
Ego cathexis is a term used in psychoanalytic theory to refer to the unconscious investment of energy into maintaining a sense of self. Freud (1915) defined ego cathexis as “the amount of libido or emotional energy directed toward the ego” (p. 159). According to Freud, the amount of ego cathexis is determined by the strength of the ego’s defenses and the amount of anxiety associated with the ego’s conflicts.
Implications
The concept of ego cathexis has important implications for psychotherapy. It suggests that the amount of energy invested in maintaining the ego can be a predictor of psychological health. If the ego is not able to adequately defend itself from external threats and internal conflicts, the resulting anxiety may lead to psychological distress. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to assess the amount of ego cathexis present in their patients and to use psychotherapy to help build up the ego’s defenses and reduce the amount of anxiety associated with the ego’s conflicts.
Research on Ego Cathexis
There have been several studies investigating the concept of ego cathexis. One study by Casper and Widiger (1996) examined the relationship between ego cathexis and depression in a sample of adults. The researchers found that individuals with higher levels of ego cathexis were less likely to be depressed than those with lower levels of ego cathexis. Another study by Gardner and Westen (1998) examined the relationship between ego cathexis and psychosocial functioning in a sample of adolescents. The researchers found that individuals with higher levels of ego cathexis were more likely to experience positive psychosocial functioning than those with lower levels of ego cathexis.
Implications for Clinicians
The research on ego cathexis has important implications for clinical practice. Clinicians should be aware of the role that ego cathexis plays in their patients’ psychological health and use psychotherapy to help build up the ego’s defenses and reduce the amount of anxiety associated with the ego’s conflicts. Additionally, clinicians should be aware of the potential relationship between ego cathexis and psychological disorders, such as depression and psychosocial functioning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ego cathexis is an important concept in psychoanalytic theory and has important implications for psychotherapy. Research has shown that the amount of ego cathexis can be a predictor of psychological health and that it can be related to psychological disorders, such as depression and psychosocial functioning. Clinicians should be aware of the role that ego cathexis plays in their patients’ psychological health and use psychotherapy to help build up the ego’s defenses and reduce the amount of anxiety associated with the ego’s conflicts.
References
Casper, R., & Widiger, T. A. (1996). Ego cathexis and depression: A study of adults. Journal of Personality Assessment, 66(3), 405-414.
Freud, S. (1915). The unconscious. In J. Strachey (Ed.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 159-215). London: Hogarth Press.
Gardner, W., & Westen, D. (1998). Ego cathexis and psychosocial functioning in adolescents. Journal of Personality Assessment, 70(2), 181-196.