Professional paper

Finger sucking: ethiological considerations and therapeutical approach

Jarmila Škrinjarić ; Klinika za psihološku medicinu, Medicinskog fakulteta u Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ilija Škrinjarić ; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Controversies still exist on the significance of the simptom of finger
sucking in the child’s emotional development. The purpose of this study is to explain the causes of finger sucking prolonged over the age of four in view of the psychoanalytic theory and the possibilities for therapeutic approach. The psychotherapeutical interview and follow-up of ten children with fingersucking habit and their parents has been applied. Additional emotional disturbances as well as somatic changes in the form of malocclusion (open bite) and alternations of finger sucked have been observed in almost all children. Therefore, the treatment of finger sucking should be based on the psychotherapeutical approach by revealing the underlying psychotherapeutical approach by revealing the underlying psychodynamic disorder.

Keywords

finger sucking; ethiology; emotional disturbance; psychotherapy

Hrčak ID:

101361

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/101361

Publication date:

15.9.1989.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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