Use of structural psychological protection mechanisms in dealing with youth in crisis situations

Abstract

Introduction. In modern conditions, adaptation to the dynamics of tension in social reality is of particular importance. One of the adaptation systems of personality is psychological protection. The optimal functioning of the complex system of psychological protection of the individual determines the effectiveness of overcoming life difficulties, preserves the positive ideas of the individual about himself, allows him to "live" problematic situations with the preservation of mental well-being. The main function of psychological defense mechanisms is to "protect" the content of consciousness from negative, traumatic experiences, ensuring the quality of psychological security of the individual. This allows, in a situation of optimal anxiety, adequate self-esteem, an adequate level of claims, to build and support the socio-psychological adaptability of the individual to the life situation. The purpose of this article is to reveal the possibilities of using constructive mechanisms of psychological protection in working with young people in crisis situations. Materials and methods. 40 students of the Armavir State Pedagogical University (Armavir, Krasnodar Territory, Russian Federation) participated in the study of the content of the protection mechanisms used. The testing was carried out using the methodology for diagnosing the structure and strength of psychological defense (developed by L. Y. Subbotina), and the methodology for diagnosing the dominant strategy of psychological defense in communication (V.V. Boyko). The results of the study. Experimental data obtained during the study showed that in the hierarchy of the high level of protection use, the projection mechanism (22.5%), then rationalization (15%), then the denial mechanism (15%) is the most common in the experimental sample of young people. At the same time, in the response variant of 40 respondents, 18 revealed such psychological protection as aggression, 12 are characterized by peacefulness, and the remaining 10 – avoidance. And when choosing strategies to overcome difficult life situations, respondents chose by importance – orientation to the goal, process and result. Conclusion. Thus, psychological protection is a multi-valued, phenomenologically complex, systemic education that determines the nature of the manifestation of personality and behavior. Therefore, in order to work out an adequate way of responding to young people in crisis situations, it is necessary to take into account the substantial mechanism of psychological defense mechanisms. During the construction of counseling and correctional work, it is possible to use activity aimed at building an adequate strategy for overcoming difficult life situations.