Sen. Ted Kennedy

Paul Richter’s “The Two Images of Kennedy” (Column One, June 7) deals with issues about which I’ve given considerable thought in the past because of the possibility of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) being a presidential candidate.

There is no doubt that historically Kennedy regressed psychologically on several occasions earlier in his life when he manifested asocial and antisocial behavior. His cheating while in college and the Chappaquiddick episode were flagrant examples of such actions on his part.

It is of note, however, that some criminals manifest repetitive examples of such behavior most of their lives. Yet there is a small percentage of such individuals who undergo what has been called delayed maturation around the age of 35 or 40 and they never commit another crime.

In my opinion, Kennedy has given us considerable indication that he also echoed such delayed maturation. I say that because he was exposed to unbelievably intense and repetitive stress experiences, such as the assassination of two of his brothers, the alcoholism of his wife and the cancer of his son. Yet, following these events, his stability and achievements in the Senate were remarkable.

Regarding the Palm Beach episode, it does appear that he again manifested some deviation from the “delayed maturation” by his behavior. The key question centers on the degree to which Kennedy is prone to drink in more than a social manner. I do anticipate that his delayed maturation will again appear on a consistent and long-term basis, much as his outstanding work in the Senate has demonstrated.

ALFRED COODLEY, MD

Los Angeles

The writer is past president of the section on psychiatry of the Los Angeles County Medical Assn.