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Biomedical subjects

B M Cormier

Publications and source records attributed to B M Cormier.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Pedophilic episodes in middle age and senescence: an intergenerational encounter.

The study of pedophilic episodes in later life shows how acting out in a particular emotional context can help the offender to reorganize his life. After reviewing 36 cases referred to the McGill Clinic in Forensic Psychiatry between 1980-1989, a previous history of offender victimization was found in 12 cases. Careful analysis of all the cases showed reactivation of conflict in their family of procreation in 34 cases. Various psychodynamic hypotheses are suggested through the longitudinal history of the perpetrator and the nature of the relationship between victim and perpetrator. Analysis of a longitudinal follow-up in 26 cases suggests that through various mechanisms of organization, disorganization and reorganization, the pedophilic episode represented an opportunity for these middle-aged and senescent pedophiles to resolve some issues underlying their pedophilic interests, leading to a higher level of maturity, thereby preventing relapse of pedophilic episodes.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1993

The child abuse reporting laws: an ethical dilemma for professionals.

A central issue in the development of family law and child protection in this country has been the right of the state to intervene in family life. The reporting laws, which were developed in the 1960s, made it mandatory for any citizen, including professionals, to report child abuse (physical and sexual) to the authorities. These laws have fundamentally altered the relationship between the clinician and families in need of help and have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of cases assessed and treated by child welfare agencies. Because of the emphasis on case-finding, the limited resources have been stretched to the point where families with serious problems of child abuse do not get the services they require. Apparently, at least 60% of all reports turn out to be unfounded. Other criticisms of the current system include ineffective intervention, over-intervention and ignoring parents' rights. The legalization and bureaucratization of the child protection process has profoundly affected the relationship between troubled families and social workers who now must "investigate" them as well as help them. This role conflict is exacerbated even further in cases of alleged child sexual abuse, where social workers are often expected to inform the police of the allegations. The authors argue that the reporting laws have been useful in that society is aware of the problem, and they suggest that it may be more beneficial now to dispose of them.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1982

Inter-generational transmission of incest.

The majority of reported incest cases involve sexual relations between one generation and another, the most common being father-daughter incest. The increased availability of clinical data on incest has revealed an aspect of the problem that has received little attention in clinical literature. Incest can involve three generations in a family rather than two. It is possible for incest to be "transmitted" from one generation to the next through several patterns. In some cases, the mother in a family of father-daughter incest has herself been a victim of incest with her own father. With a history of unresolved incest with their own fathers, these women are unable to prevent an incest relationship between their husbands and daughters. Another pattern involves situations where the father in the father-daughter incest relationship has been the victim of father-son incest in his youth. The psychodynamics of these patterns of intergenerational transmission of incest are described, with clinical examples from the authors' work, as well as from the literature.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1966

On the history of men and genocide.

A historical and psychological study of genocide is presented in which special emphasis is given to modern manifestations of this phenomenon. The policy of eradication of the Jews by the Hitler regime is considered as an example of genocide in the twentieth century. The psychopathology of genocide and the complex relationships among aggressors, victims and witnesses are elaborated. Inferences are drawn from past and present patterns of genocide that may provide some leads to the future. It is now possible to envisage an all-consuming genocide unless nations can learn to live together, not necessarily in unity but in diversity.

History, 15th Century↗