The Experience of the Skin in Early Object-Relations

Summary

Esther Bick explores the psychological function of the skin in the earliest stages of emotional development. She suggests that the infant initially experiences the skin as a boundary that helps hold together different parts of the self. This sense of internal containment develops through the relationship with the mother, whose ability to provide emotional containment helps the infant gradually develop a stable sense of self.

Bick also introduces the concept of “second skin”, which can develop when the infant does not experience sufficient containment. Instead of relying on an internal sense of security, the child may use muscular tension, activity, or other behaviors to create a substitute boundary and maintain a sense of cohesion. These early experiences can later influence emotional development, relationships, and psychological functioning.