A psychoanalytical study about the fraternal bond and the loss of one of the parents due to COVID-19

Abstract

The current research aims to analyze and reflect on the characteristics of the fraternal bond and the loss of one of the parents due to COVID-19. We consider that the fraternal relationship plays a relevant role in the construction of belonging today. For this analysis, a clinical-qualitative study was applied, and semi-structured interviews were carried out to collect data. Regarding participants, we randomly selected individuals between 18 and 25 years old who had siblings and who had lost one of their parents to COVID-19. Thus, we seek to understand the data obtained in relation to the main discussions and theoretical reflections highlighted by Classical Psychoanalysis and Linking Psychoanalysis. We were able to observe that the fraternal bond is closely associated with the interventions of parental relationships and, in this sense, after the loss of one of the parents, it exerts a relevant function of resignification and protection respecting the constitution of subjectivity and the resulting bonding entanglements.