Pré-adolescentes em psicoterapia: capacidade de mentaliza？？o e divórcio altamente conflitivo dos pais

the focus of this study was the mentalization capacity of preteens, in the context of a break in ties due to highly conflictive marital separation, and the possibility of developing the capacity of mentalization during the therapeutic process of these youths. these concepts have been conceived, based on the psychoanalytical branch of the attachment theory, contributions of certain object relations theories, especially those of bion and winnicott, and on cognitive psychology. a study with qualitative research approach was conducted, based on the procedure of multiple case studies. the participants - two preteens and their parents - were treated at a clinic-school in the southern region of brazil. the mentalization capacity of these youths was evaluated before and after five months of psychotherapy. the main results pointed out to a limited or absent mentalization capacity at the beginning of psychotherapy and changes in the reflective function and mentalization capacity after the first five months of treatment.