Does Psychosocial Ego Development Partially Mediate the Association Between Defense Mechanisms and Death Attitude?

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282095673
Author(s):  
Marcin Sekowski
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Ego Development ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Attitude Toward Death ◽  
Ego Strengths

Some authors suggest the existence of links between the mechanisms of defense and attitude toward death, however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. The objective of the present research was to investigate whether psychosocial ego development is a partial mediator in the association between mechanisms of defense and death attitude. The study included participants (N = 382) aged 19–85 (M = 47.02, SD = 16.19). Three measures were used: Defense Style Questionnaire-40, Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths, and Death Attitude Profile-Revised. Findings partly confirmed the hypotheses. Psychosocial ego development is a partial mediator in positive relationships between maladaptive defenses and fear of death, death avoidance, and escape acceptance. Psychosocial ego development is also a partial mediator in the positive association between more adaptive defenses and approach acceptance. The study provides novel information on the mechanisms underlying the association between defense mechanisms and multidimensional death attitude.

Relationship between defense mechanisms and psychopathic traits in an Internet sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-282
Author(s):  
Sandra Weber ◽  
William H. Gottdiener ◽  
Cordelia Chou
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychopathic Personality ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Personality Profile ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Internet Sample

The authors compared the defense mechanisms used by a community sample of people with and without self-reported psychopathic traits. Defense mechanisms were assessed using the Defense Style Questionnaire-60 and psychopathy was assessed using the Levinson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale in a sample of 225 adults recruited on the Internet. Results found that people with self-reported psychopathy traits used significantly more immature and neurotic defense mechanisms than people without a psychopathic personality profile. All participants reported equal use of mature defenses.

scholarly journals Psychological Distress after a Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma in a Group of Patients and Caregivers at the National Priority Contaminated Site of Casale Monferrato

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Bonafede ◽  
Antonella Granieri ◽  
Alessandra Binazzi ◽  
Carolina Mensi ◽  
Federica Grosso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Mesothelioma ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Adaptive Processes

Background: Patients of malignant mesothelioma (MM) and their caregivers face significant physical and psychological challenges. The purpose of the present study is to examine the emotional impact after the diagnosis of MM in a group of patients and familial caregivers in a National Priority Contaminated Site (NPCS). Methods: A sample of 108 patients and 94 caregivers received a sociodemographic/clinical questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Davidson Trauma Scale, the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced—New Italian Version, and the Defense style questionnaire. The risk of depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in relation to the strategies of coping and defense mechanisms was estimated in patients and caregivers separately by logistic regression models. Results: For patients, a high risk of depression was associated with high usage of Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) Isolation (OR: 53.33; 95% CI: 3.22–882.30; p = 0.01) and DSQ Somatization (OR: 16.97; 95% CI: 1.04–275.90; p = 0.05). Other significant risks emerged for some coping strategies and some defenses regarding both depression and trauma in patients and caregivers. Conclusions: This research suggests that for both patients and caregivers unconscious adaptive processes have a central role in dealing with overwhelming feelings related to the disease.

Attitude Toward Death From the Perspective of Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Ego Development: An Unused Potential

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282092160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Sekowski
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Ego Development ◽  
Attitude Toward Death

The aim of the article is to design a conceptual framework within the theory of psychosocial ego development that will allow for a better understanding and explanation of attitude toward death in the life cycle. The main weaknesses of previous studies on death attitude were examined; Erikson’s concept may help exceed these limitations. The use of the model of hierarchy of defense mechanisms to study death attitude within Erikson’s theory was proposed. The concept of the death complex was mentioned to better conceptualize the problem of attitude toward death as a part of the psychosocial theory. Finally, the evolution of attitude toward death in the consecutive phases of psychosocial development was discussed in the light of the concept of syntonic and dystonic ego features, as well as death complex, defense mechanisms, and psychosexual modes.

Women Addiction (Alcohol and Opiates) and Defense Mechanism Style

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Raketic ◽  
M. Kovacevic ◽  
T. Djuric
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Opiate Addicts

Very few researches concerning women addictions are done up to day. This paper tries to define basic similarities and differences in defense mechanisms used by women alcohol and opiate addicts.Method:Sample of alcohol and opiate female addicts (30 patients in each group) plus control group (30 women) with no psychiatric diagnosis were questioned with Defense Style Questionnaire - DSQ 40 (Andrews, Singh, Bond, 1993).Results:There were found no statistically relevant differences between two experimental and one control group concerning mature defense mechanism use. Significant differences were found in neurotic and immature defense mechanism use: alcohol addicts use prevalently neurotic mechanisms and immature mechanisms prevail among opiate addicts.Conclusions:In our research mostly used neurotic defense mechanisms by alcohol addicts were: pseudoaltruism, idealization, and undoing. The mostly used immature defense mechanisms among opiate addicts were: phantasy, isolation, devaluation, denial and splitting.

scholarly journals Η προσκόλληση και οι μηχανισμοί άμυνας σε άτομα διεγνωσμένα με οριακή διαταραχή προσωπικότητας

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Αντώνιος Καλαματιανός ◽  
Λίσσυ Κανελλοπούλου
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
The Past ◽  
Outpatient Departments ◽  
Attachment Model

The interest with regard to the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has increased in the past few years, because the number of people with the aforementioned diagnosis who use mental health services has risen. The study aimed at examining the defense mechanisms in people with BPD diagnosis in relation to the attachment type they adopt. Thesample consisted of 36 adult subjects diagnosed with BPD who attended psychiatric outpatient departments and 36 people who attended the ophthalmologic outpatient care at a general hospital. The adult attachment questionnaire CA-MIR and the Defense Style Questionnaire-40 were administered to the participants. In general, results are in accordance with the theoretical background, because it was demonstrated that diagnosed subjects scored higher in the insecure attachment types, that is, the ambivalent, the detached and the non-resolved, whereas the non-diagnosed scored higher in the autonomous attachment. Moreover, diagnosed subjects used more than the non-diagnosed participants the neurotic and the immature defenses,but they did not differ with respect to mature defenses. Finally, correlations between attachment and defenses were found with the exception of the mature that correlated with no attachment model. These findings may contribute to the identification of factors that participate in BPD and in the configuration of more efficient therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Can the factor structure of Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) contribute to our understanding of parental acceptance/rejection, bullying, victimization and perceived well-being in Greek early adolescents?

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros Giovazolias ◽  
Evangelia Karagiannopoulou ◽  
Effrosyni Mitsopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Parental Acceptance ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
School Students ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Convergent And Discriminant Validity

Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) is a self-report instrument designed to measure defense mechanisms. Although commonly used, the DSQ-40 has not been validated in early adolescent populations. The present study sought to determine the factor validity of the DSQ-40 in a sample of Greek primary school students (N = 265). Further, it aimed to investigate the relationship between defense mechanisms and perceived parental acceptance/rejection, the participation in bullying (either as bully or victim) as well as self-reported well being. Participants completed the Greek version of DSQ-40, adapted for use by this particular age group as well as measures in order to examine its convergent and discriminant validity. The findings support a four-factor solution as the most adequate for our data. Further, it was found that defense mechanisms are related to perceived parental acceptance and rejection. Finally, the results showed that the DSQ-40 can effectively discriminate participants with high/low bullying/victimization and perceived well-being. Our results indicate that the DSQ-40 is appropriate for use in late childhood. Implications for clinical practice and future studies that would confirm the appropriateness of the scale’s use in younger populations are also discussed.

scholarly journals The Role of Interpersonal Problem Solving in Using the Immature Defense Mechanisms in Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ahmet Bedel
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Interpersonal Problem ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Interpersonal Problem Solving

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between interpersonal problem solving and immature defense mechanisms in addition to whether interpersonal problem solving are predictors of immature defense mechanisms. The participants of the study consists of 428 high schools students (184 of the students were females). Interpersonal Problem Solving Inventory and Defense Style Questionnaire were applied. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that all variables of interpersonal problem solving skills together accounted for 32% of the variance in defense mechanisms. Specifically, significant predictors of immature defense mechanisms levels were lack of self-confidence, negative approach to the problems, constructive problem solving respectively. Generally, the levels of adolescents resort to immature defense mechanisms, lack of self-confidence and negative approach to the problem of the increase, a decrease in constructive problem-solving skills are seen to be effective. The results of the study was discussd within the results of the previous studies.

The relationship between defense mechanisms and religious coping using a new two-factor solution for the Defense Style Questionnaire-40

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. Prout ◽  
William H. Gottdiener ◽  
Alexander Camargo ◽  
Sean Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Religious Coping ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Styles ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Negative Religious Coping ◽  
Principal Axis Factoring ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the factor structure of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and explored the relationships between defense mechanisms and religious coping in a diverse sample of 380 college students. In contrast with the three-factor model of defenses proposed by the developers of the DSQ-40, principal axis factoring yielded two internally consistent components: adaptive and maladaptive defense styles. Endorsement of adaptive defenses was positively correlated with the use of positive religious coping strategies and negatively correlated with negative religious coping. Maladaptive defenses were associated with the endorsement of negative religious coping strategies. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made for future use of the DSQ-40.

scholarly journals Do defense mechanisms vary according to the psychiatric disorder?

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Blaya ◽  
Marina Dornelles ◽  
Rodrigo Blaya ◽  
Letícia Kipper ◽  
Elizeth Heldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Acting Out ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Defense Style Questionnaire ◽  
Depressive Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the defense mechanisms used by depressive and anxious patients without comorbidities compared to those used by controls and to determine whether these patterns differ between diagnoses. METHOD: The sample was composed of 167 psychiatric patients and 36 controls that were evaluated using the Defense Style Questionnaire 40. All subjects were evaluated through a clinical interview, and each evaluation was confirmed through the application of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, a structured psychiatric interview. We used ANOVA and discriminant analysis to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: Neurotic defense mechanisms discriminated controls from all patients except those with social anxiety. Immature defense mechanisms differentiated controls from all patients, as well as distinguished depressive patients from panic disorder and obsessive disorder patients. The discriminant analysis indicated that depressive patients are characterized by projection, panic disorder patients by sublimation and obsessive-compulsive patients by acting out. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive and anxious patients differ from other individuals in their use of defense mechanisms, and each diagnosis has a particular pattern. These findings could lead to the development of specific psychotherapeutic interventions.

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