Thoughts on relatedness, transformation of self, and a new understanding of mourning

Abstract

I have elaborated Stern’s theory of the formation, growth, and development of the self to explain how the threat of dissolution of self can result instead in adaptive transformation. His theory also led to my insight that mourning is intrinsic to the process of formation, growth, and development of the self, and my observation that the major work of mourning and transformation of self can be accomplished by resilient individuals in six months.