The Structure of Psychological Defense Mechanisms in Women as a Function of Alcohol Intoxication

Abstract

The present experiment tested whether moderate alcohol intoxication influences the relative strength of different psychoanalytic defense mechanisms and whether the overall level of defense activity is changed. Thirty-six women were randomly assigned to either an alcohol, a placebo, or a control group. The alcohol dose was 1.0 ml of 100% alcohol/kg body weight. Subjects were tested with the Defense Mechanism Test (DMT), which gives a valid measure of both elaborate or late and primitive or early defense mechanisms. Results indicated no significant effects of alcohol intoxication on any aspect of the defense system. This was taken as supportive of the psychoanalytic notion in respect of the stability of the defense system. Possible complications were discussed.