Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study

Anca-Livia Panfil,Laura Lemeti,Aurel Nirestean,Marinela Hurmuz,Diana Lungeanu,Madalina Cristanovici,Andra Isac,Cristina Bredicean,Mirela Frandes,Ion Papava

doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe challenges faced by professionals when working in the field of psychiatry require the development of adequate defensive and coping mechanisms. This study aimed to explore both coping strategies and defense mechanisms and their relationship in psychiatry trainees in Romania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to determine and evaluate both defensive and coping mechanisms of Romanian psychiatry trainees. Defensive Style Questionnaire-60 and COPE scale were applied to psychiatry trainees from five training centers in Romania. By applying structural equation modeling, models that presumed the existence of relationships between coping strategies and defensive mechanisms were analyzed.ResultsSuperior defense mechanisms and task-oriented coping strategies were the commonly used approaches by psychiatry trainees. Furthermore, significantly consistent correlations (ranging from 0.2 to 0.5) between adaptive defense mechanisms and coping strategies focused on the problem or emotion were shown. Similarly, avoidant coping strategies correlated with non-adaptive defense mechanisms (correlations between 0.3 and 0.5). Our model presented good fit indices (X2(34) = 64.324, p < 0.001; GFI = 0.93; root mean square error = 0.08). Moreover, the results indicated a weak association between the two types of adaptive processes (r = 0.07, p < 0.001).ConclusionPsychiatry trainees present a profile based on two independent groups of adaptation processes, namely, adaptive defenses and problem-oriented coping scales and non-adaptive defenses and avoidant coping scales.

Highlights

The challenges faced by professionals when working in the field of psychiatry require the development of adequate defensive and coping mechanisms
The findings showed that coping and defense mechanisms tend to have a certain pattern with these disorders and certain mechanisms, such as avoidant coping, might increase future symptoms [10]
We explored the possible relationship between coping strategies and defense mechanisms and their implications in clinical practice

Summary

Introduction

The challenges faced by professionals when working in the field of psychiatry require the development of adequate defensive and coping mechanisms. The findings showed that coping and defense mechanisms tend to have a certain pattern with these disorders and certain mechanisms, such as avoidant coping, might increase future symptoms [10]. This is related to the vulnerability-stress psychopathology model that outlines two underlying components [11]. The types of coping and defense mechanisms used may contribute to vulnerability, as previously mentioned, or can be protective factors In this regard, Perry and Carver et al proposed a hierarchy of seven levels of defense mechanisms [14] and four strategies of coping [15]

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Conclusion