Achievement conflicts in young adult women

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the therapist's ability to diagnose and treat work conflicts in young women. We have noted a marked increase in young women seeking psychotherapy because of conflicts which have arisen as they attempt to become self-actualized through their work. In spite of the great influx of women into the work force over the past two decades, little has been written about the psychodynamics which limit their capacity to function optimally. We have described and clarified these psychodynamics by separating them into three categories based on narcissistic, separation-individuation and oedipal issues.An earlier version of this paper was presented on April 13, 1984 at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Society for Clinical Social Work on The Treatment of the Young Adult. The authors would like to express their appreciation to Ord Matek, Professor of Social Work, The Jane Addams School of Social Work, University of Illinois, Chicago, for review ing an earlier version of this paper.