[Brief analytic essay on unconscious forces facilitating transgenerational repetition of physical or sexual abuse].

Abstract

Transmission of abusive conduct is mainly determined by unconscious guilt and identification with the aggressor. The abused child is bound to split the parental object. The hostile side is eclipsed due to dependence and regression. Therefore deprived of the hated object, the guilt surges forcefully with the role reversal of the following generation. The former victim, whose identifications with the aggressor are actuated, discharges his guilt by projective identifications with the new victims. The ongoing splitting perpetuates the pathology of the relation.