Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:826-828
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
Coping with adversaries in elective public office
E Messner
The author, a psychoanalyst who has served as an elected public official,
has observed and participated in many adversary relationships in that they
provide explicit procedures for expression and resolution of disputes.
These cognitive features can neutralize some of the emotional impact of the
conflicts, but their frequency, intensity, and pervasiveness can still be
stressful to elected officials. The author describes his own strategies for
coping with that stress as well as some strategies used by other elected
officials.
