SOCIAL SCIENCES

Difficult Mothers

Understanding and Overcoming Their Power
by Terri Apter
Difficult Mothers: Understanding and Overcoming Their Power. Norton. May 2012. c.240p. bibliog. ISBN 9780393081022. $25.95. SELF-HELP
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Psychologist Apter (fellow, Newnham Coll., Cambridge Univ.; What Do You Want from Me? Learning To Get Along with In-Laws) sets out to help readers understand why mothers can have such a powerful impact on their grown children's lives and how to overcome the complex feelings a difficult mother inflicts. She highlights five different types—the angry mother, the controlling mother, the narcissistic mother, the envious mother, and the emotionally neglectful mother—and explains the behavioral patterns common in each. Apter's advice will help readers make sense of difficult mother-child relationships and develop strategies for reshaping responses and expectations.
VERDICT Anyone with a problematic maternal relationship will find empathy and therapeutic approaches for healing. [See Prepub Alert, 11/21/11.]
Reviewed by Deborah Bigelow , May 15, 2012
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