A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF EGO-DEFENCE MECHANISMS AMONG THE MEDICAL STUDENTS.

Abstract

Background: Ego defence mechanisms (or factors), dened by Freud as the unconscious mental process used by the ego to reduce conict between the id and superego, are a reection of how an individual deals with conict and stress in other words anxiety. This study assesses the prevalence of various ego defence mechanisms used by medical students of Mumbai, which has higher stress and anxiety levels than the general population of India. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 700 students from four major medical colleges of Mumbai over 4 weeks. Ego defence mechanisms were assessed using the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) individually and as grouped under Mature, Immature, and Neurotic factors. Results: Lower mean scores of Immature defence mechanisms (4.78) were identied than those for Neurotic (5.62) and Mature (5.60) mechanisms. Immature mechanisms were more commonly used by males whereas females used more Neurotic mechanisms than males. Neurotic and Immature defences were signicantly more prevalent in rst and second-year students. Mature mechanisms were signicantly higher in students enrolled in Government colleges than other private institutions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Immature defence mechanisms were less commonly used than Neurotic and Mature mechanisms. The greater use of Neurotic defences may reect greater stress levels than the general population. The use of these mechanisms was associated with the female gender.