ABSTRACT
The article gives examples of interactions during psychological consultations with exiled mothers and their children. They exemplify different coping styles to problems of traumatic loss and separation from old families and social networks, loss of cultural and professional roles, and problems of identity and self-esteem. The observations are discussed in relation to the women's personality test profiles and their anamnestic material. Three typical styles of transactional defense in relation to their children are defined. These styles-“binding,” “delegation” and “expulsion”-are also related to the risk of associated typical behaviors in the second generation, such as gang behavior and certain types of criminality. The usefulness of the Exner Rorschach in evaluating the (often overlooked) resourcefulness of analphabetic peasant women is touched upon. Finally suggestions are given regarding factors and treatment modalities that could facilitate the exiled women's process of working through their trauma and establishing new coping styles and networks that could provide fertile soil for constructive development in themselves and their children.
