Masochistic phenomena in adults are discussed as derivatives of conscious and/or unconscious fantasies. These masochistic fantasies are always associated with conscious and/or unconscious narcissistic and sadistic fantasies. These fantasies, like all fantasies in adults, are conceived of as compromise formations. After a selected review of the literature, analytic data are presented to highlight the clinical advantages of a contemporary elaboration of the structural hypothesis for the understanding of sadomasochistic and sadomasochistic phenomena.
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