Exploring the Relationship Between Defense Mechanisms and Drawing Characteristics: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Defense mechanisms are unconscious mental processes that protect an individualfrom experiencing anxiety resulting from the perceived threat of internal or externalstress. Defense mechanisms are important to clinical practice in understandingpersonality dynamics, identifying preferred modes of coping, tailoring treatmentplanning, and refining diagnostic impressions. Defense mechanisms within the context ofthe current managed care culture are not generally assessed. The purpose of this studywas to examine the relationship between an individual’s use of defense mechanisms andthe characteristics of his/her drawing in order to inform art therapy assessment.Seven participants were recruited to participate in the study. Each participantdrew a Person Picking an Apple from a Tree (PPAT) drawing and completed the DefenseStyle Questionnaire – 40 (DSQ – 40). The Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS)was used to measure the graphic variables of the PPAT drawings. The scores from theDSQ-40 and the FEATS were correlated. The results demonstrated that the defense ofHumor correlated positively with the FEATS variables of Logic, Integration,Perseveration, Rotation, Problem Solving, Line Quality, and Developmental Level. Thedefense of Rationalization correlated positively with the FEATS variable of PerseverationThe defense of Pseudo-altruism exhibited a positive correlation with the FEATSvariables of Integration, Space, Problem Solving, Realism, and Developmental Level.Negative correlations between DSQ – 40 scores and FEATS scores were also studied.The defense of Displacement displayed a negative correlation with the FEATS variablesof Logic, Color Fit, Rotation, Person, and Line Quality while the defense of Devaluationexhibited a negative correlation with the FEATS variables of Perseveration, Rotation, andLine Quality. Additionally, participants scoring High on the overall Mature defensefactor drew figures picking an apple from a tree differently than participants who did notscore high on the Mature defense factor.The study was not able to draw strong correlations between individual defensemechanisms and FEATS categories in a way that would allow art therapists the ability toequate certain styles of drawing with a specific defense. This study did however suggest adifference in the drawings of individuals who utilize more mature defensive processesand is able to provide clinicians with data that may be useful in evaluating an individual’sawareness of support and ability to cope and problem solve. Future study may continue tofocus on qualitative differences in the artwork of individuals utilizing more maturedefensive processes versus those who utilize more immature defensive processes.%%%%M.A., Creative Arts in Therapy – Drexel University, 2008