Relationship Between Defense Mechanisms and Coping Styles Among Relapsing Addicts

Abstract

Defense mechanisms and coping styles are dissimilar in terms of the cognitive operations involved. This study aims to determine the pattern of defense mechanisms and coping styles and its association among relapsing addicts. A descriptive-correlational research design and a multi-stage sampling method were applied in the sample selection process. A total of 120 respondents, randomly selected from four centers in the central zone of Peninsular Malaysia, were involved in this study. Th e findings of the study indicate that neurotic defense mechanisms (M=12.46, S.D=2.14) and task-oriented coping style (M=58.67, S.D=10.06) are the most used by relapsing addicts. The neurotic and maturity defense mechanisms are significantly correlated to a ll three types of coping styles, while the immaturity defense mechanisms were found to be correlated with emotion-oriented coping style. These findings demonstrate that relapsing addicts employ multiple defense mechanism styles and all these styles confirm the existence and nature of sub-cultures in addiction. Associations found between these two variables indicate a need to incorporate the elements of defense mechanisms and coping styles in relapse prevention counseling.