Institutional transference towards institutions for war-struck children: the example of the Greek paidopoleis

This study explores institutional transference towards institutions for children affected by war, a hitherto unexplored form of institutional transference for this age group. It focuses on adults who, as children during or right after the Greek Civil War, were placed in paidopoleis, i.e. institutions for war-struck children. The aim is to draw parallels to gain a deeper understanding of children in a similar position today, particularly unaccompanied refugee children, and to inform therapeutic work with this population. The themes that emerged from the analysis of the data demonstrated that the participants had established powerful institutional transferences, which had largely shaped their relationships both inside and outside the institution, as well as their identities. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.