Abstract

In this paper the author describes his findings in cases of homesickness which were studied in children's camp settings. The signs, symptoms, incidence and current theoretical concepts of depression and their defences in children are examined in considerable detail. A case illustration rounds out the presentation.

The author concludes by saying that in the light of these observations on childhood behavior and the hypothesis on the infant's development of object relations and emotions he has attempted to describe a concept of depressive anxieties in the child and some of the child's defences against these anxieties. He suspects that these anxieties are closely related to some of the adult depressive states, but states that his paper does not contribute to the proof of this suspicion. He hopes that it has made a contribution to increasing our understanding of some of the implications and complexities of the development of depressive states in both children and adults. He suggests that children, adults and families be examined with these concepts in mind in the hope that we may better our understanding of depressive states.