What is often the outcome of a child internalizing parts of their caretakers during development, according to object relations theory?

In object relations theory, the internalization of aspects of caretakers by a child is crucial for the development of the self. When a child internalizes the attitudes, behaviors, and emotional responses of their caregivers, it helps shape their expectations and perceptions about themselves and others. This internalized framework forms the basis for the child's self-concept and informs their expectations of how they should interact with the world.

By internalizing these elements, children develop an understanding of what to expect from themselves, influencing their self-esteem and their ability to form relationships. These expectations become fundamental patterns that guide their behavior in relationships and self-perception throughout their lives.

The other options, while they may relate to various psychological outcomes, do not directly address the core concept of internalization as posited by object relations theory. Anxiety disorders, catastrophic thinking, and interpersonal conflicts can certainly arise from various experiences during development, but they do not specifically capture the foundational aspect of how internalizing caregivers impacts the formation of expectations of self, which is central to the internalization process described by this theory.