This book revisits the theory of social systems as a defence against anxiety. It explores this theory as a generative paradigm, capable both of theoretical extension and of empirical application to different institutional settings.

Series editor's preface Acknowledgements About the editors and contributors Introduction: revisiting the paradigm - David Armstrong & Michael RustinI Theoretical 1 Obsessional-punitive defences in care systems: Menzies Lyth revisited - William Halton 2 Beyond identifying social defences: 'working through' and lessons from people whispering - Susan Long 3 A psycho-social perspective on social defences - Paul Hoggett 4 Social defences in the information age - James Krantz 5 Defences against innovation: the conservation of vagueness - Philip Boxer 6 Reconceptualizing social defences for the purpose of organizational change: causes, consequences, and the contribution of cultural theory - Nick PapadopoulosII Health and nursing 7 Reflections on Isabel Menzies Lyth in the light of developments in nursing care - Liz Tutton & Debbie Langstaff 8 'I'm beyond caring': a response to the Francis Report - Marcus Evans 9 Anxiety at the front line - Sebastian Kraemer 10 A partnership of policing and health systems: containing the dynamics of sexual violence - Mannie Sher 11 Running the gauntlet of institutional defence: from the prison gate to the hospital wing - Anne Zachary III The private sector 12 Extreme work environments: beyond anxiety and social defence - Larry Hirschhorn & Sharon Horowitz 13 Corporate cultures and inner conflicts - Aideen Lucey 14 Defences against anxiety in the law - Jon Stokes IV Social welfare and education 15 Spotlit: defences against anxiety in contemporary human service organizations - Andrew Cooper & Amanda Lees 16 Still not good enough! Must try harder: an exploration of social defences in schools - Simon Tucker 17 Work discussion groups as a container for sexual anxieties in schools - Emil Jackson 18 Social defences in nurseries and the contemporary value of the concept - Peter Elfer 19 Projective identification and unconscious defences against anxiety: social work education, practice learning, and the fear of failure - Jo Finch & Jason Schaub 20 Unconscious defences against anxiety in a Youth Offending Service - Maxim de Sauma, Sarah Fielding, & Michael Rustin References Index