Brother : Oedipal choice of Lebanese girls aged between 18 and 28

Abstract

This study hypothesizes that the mothers repressed incestuous desire leads to the formation of a couple relationship between brother and sister. This is operationally defined as the father being absent, the relationship between husband and wife is non-satisfactory, mother-daughter relationship is fusional, son is the favored child of the mother, and the brother and sister relationship is sexually charged. Case study research design was used; it included a sample of four case studies using interview and Thematic Apperception Test with four mothers, and four daughters who have their oedipal choice as their brothers. They are of Lebanese nationality with different ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The results revealed that the mother has repressed incestuous desire, the mother-daughter relationship is fusional, the father is absent, husband-wife relationship is not satisfactory, the son is favored by the mother, and there is a strong bond between brother and sister in 3 cases and there is avoidance in 1 case, all four implying a sexually charged relationship.