Defense Style Questionnaire Research Articles

The Role of Interpersonal Problem Solving in Using the Immature Defense Mechanisms in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between interpersonal problem solving and immature defense mechanisms in addition to whether interpersonal problem solving are predictors of immature defense mechanisms. The participants of the study consists of 428 high schools students (184 of the students were females). Interpersonal Problem Solving Inventory and Defense Style Questionnaire were applied. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that all variables of interpersonal problem solving skills together accounted for 32% of the variance in defense mechanisms. Specifically, significant predictors of immature defense mechanisms levels were lack of self-confidence, negative approach to the problems, constructive problem solving respectively. Generally, the levels of adolescents resort to immature defense mechanisms, lack of self-confidence and negative approach to the problem of the increase, a decrease in constructive problem-solving skills are seen to be effective. The results of the study was discussd within the results of the previous studies.

Psychological Resilience and Vulnerability as Mediators Between Adverse Life Events and Fatigue, Motor Dysfunction, and Paresthesia in Multiple Sclerosis.

Adverse life events have been associated with exacerbating multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, but results have been variable, raising the question on the role of other psychological factors. This study examined the role of psychological resilience and vulnerability as mediators between adverse life events on MS symptoms. Participants with MS (N = 1239) were aged 18 to 81 years (mean [SD] = 45.6 [10.4] years), and 84.5% were female. MS symptoms were measured by the modified Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Fatigue Assessment Scale, Motor Dysfunction Assessment Scale, Paraesthesiae Spell Duration Scale, and the Paraesthesiae Cumulative Duration Scale. Psychological measures included the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, Psychological Vulnerability Scale, the vulnerability section of the Defence Style Questionnaire, and the Adverse Life Events Assessment Scale. Regression analyses and structural equation modeling were performed. Adverse life events during the preceding 60 days were associated with fatigue, motor dysfunction, and paresthesia, but with small effect sizes (β from 0.07 to 0.15; p ≤ .014). A structural equation model by which resilience mediated less and vulnerability more MS symptoms after adverse life events during the preceding 60 days showed a statistically significant fit with the data of a moderate to good degree (p < .001; goodness-of-fit statistic = 0.725; root mean square error of approximation = 0.047). Vulnerability played a markedly larger role than did resilience. The results suggest that psychological resilience and vulnerability play mediating roles in the relation between adverse life events and MS symptoms, but other psychological factors also need to be investigated.

La dépression en refrain… Entre évaluations de dispositifs musicothérapiques et vécus émotionnels : une proposition intégrative

ObjectivesFew integrative and controlled researches have studied the impact of music-therapy (receptive, active, creative) in response to depressive symptomatology. The aims of this exploratory study are to assess quantitatively and qualitatively the mindfulness, the defensive functioning, the severity of depression, the alexithymic degree, the body distortion, the temporality, the creativity before, after and long after the participation in music-therapy workshops. The patient's experience is also noticed during these workshops, after and one month after all sessions. Patients and methodsEighty-four (male and female) have been integrated in the research. Hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital and clinic in Occitanie, 29 subjects participated in the active and creative workshop ((Mage=52.70 ; ET=18.60), 28 in the receptive and creative workshop (Mage=52.00; ET=12.70), and 27 in the usual care (Mage=48.10; ET=13.00). Each completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Defense Style Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, and the Body Distortion Questionnaire. The two music-therapy groups also answered to the Clinical Scales of Mediatized Therapies. ResultsThe statistical analysis suggests significant differences between pre and post-test in connection with qualitative data. Improvements have been found at the different levels (mindfulness, defenses, severity of depression, emotions, affects, body distortion, temporality, creativity). ConclusionsA composite music-therapy device, addressed to caregivers, is developed at the end of this work. However, the positive impact of the workshops should be confirmed by research studying a larger sample.

Investigating Correlations Between Defence Mechanisms and Pathological Personality Characteristics

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between defence mechanisms and pathological personality traits. Material and methodsWe analysed 320 participants aged from 18 to 64 years (70.6% women, 87.5% university students) who completed the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory (IDCP) and the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). We conducted comparisons and correlations and a regression analysis. ResultsThe results showed expressive differences (d>1.0) between mature, neurotic and immature defence mechanism groups, and it was observed that pathological personality traits are more typical in people who use less mature defence mechanisms (i.e., neurotic and immature), which comprises marked personality profiles for each group, according to the IDCP. We also found correlations between some of the 40 specific mechanisms of the DSQ-40 and the 12 dimensions of pathological personality traits from the IDCP (r ≥ 0.30 to r ≤ 0.43), partially supported by the literature. In addition, we used regression analysis to verify the potential of the IDCP dimension clusters (related to personality disorders) to predict defence mechanisms, revealing some minimally expressive predictive values (between 20% and 35%). DiscussionThe results indicate that those who tend to use immature defence mechanisms are also those most likely to present pathological personality traits. ConclusionsThe findings indicate the importance of investigating these correlations as a possible improvement to clinical assessment and intervention.

A hypothetical model of pain perception in patients with chronic pain: The predictive role of unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors

ObjectiveChronic pain has a great prevalence in the society of adults, which causes important problems for health and quality of life. The present study aims to investigate a hypothetical model of pain perception in patients with chronic pain, considering the role of unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors. MethodsA total of 391 patients (155 males, 236 females) who referred to the pain centers in Tehran suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), The Inhibition/Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS), Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). ResultsThe results revealed that the model could anticipate the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain. Immature defence style, behavioral inhibition system, alexithymia, and meta-cognitive beliefs predicted the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain. ConclusionEvaluation of results indicated that the perception of the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain is affected by unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors.

Insight Into Illness and Defense Styles in Schizophrenia.

Although the psychological denial model argues that poor insight is a result of defense mechanisms, the direct relationship between the two remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between insight into illness and defense mechanisms while considering cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. A total of 38 patients with schizophrenia were evaluated for level of insight (Schedule for the Assessment of Insight), defense mechanisms (Defense Style Questionnaire), neurocognitive function (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia), and psychotic symptoms (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale). Regarding level of insight, partial correlation analysis controlling neurocognitive and psychotic variables showed that "recognition of illness" was positively correlated with immature defense styles and negatively correlated with mature defense styles. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that "recognition of illness" was significantly predicted by immature defense styles. Our findings suggest that patients who tend to use immature defense styles are more likely to accept their own mental illness.

The Mediating Role of Implicit and Explicit Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Academic Emotions and Approaches to Learning: Do Defense Styles Matter?

The present study belongs to a new strand of research in learning in higher education focusing on emotions and emotion regulation, including defense mechanisms. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mediating role of implicit and explicit emotion regulation in the relationship between academic emotions and approaches to learning. Participants were composed of 226 undergraduates (40 males and 186 females studying in a social science department). They completed the following questionnaires: Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Student Experience of Emotions Inventory, Defense Style Questionnaire, and Approaches to Learning and Studying Inventory. Both the moderating (interaction) and the mediational (indirect) effects were examined using the PROCESS program. Results failed to indicate the moderating role of emotion regulation in the association between academic emotions and approaches to learning. Instead, results revealed the dominant mediating role of emotion regulation and particularly the role of immature defense style in the relationship between negative emotions and approaches to learning. Moreover, reappraisal and suppression seemed to act as mediators in the relationship between positive and negative emotions with deep and surface approaches, respectively. The results of the study are discussed in the context of the recent literature. Implications for higher-education institutions regarding the role of unconscious cognitive processes are also discussed.

Personality and Psychopathology in Patients With Mixed Sensory-Motor Functional Neurological Disorder (Conversion Disorder): A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore differences in the level of personality functioning, symptom severity, and personality pathology in patients with mixed sensory-motor functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder). Individuals with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures were not included. We recruited 15 patients, mean age of 33.5 years (SD, 11.4 years), 13 females and 2 males, from an outpatient clinic for psychotherapeutic treatment. We assessed the patients using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-4 Axis II Personality Disorders, the SCL-90-R, the Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile, and the Defense Style Questionnaire. We were able to distinguish two levels of difficulty in relation to personality functioning as distinct subgroups: 1) "neurotic" with less severe or moderate personality psychopathology and 2) "borderline" with severe personality psychopathology. Furthermore, we concluded that all patients showed severe deficits in personality functioning. The study points out the clinical relevance of identifying personality functioning as part of an assessment in the preparation of a treatment strategy.

Defense Mechanisms in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Their Relationship with Symptom Severity and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND Despite the fact that there is theoretical evidence about the association between unconscious defense mechanisms and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), experimental evidence in this regard is limited. The aim of the present study was to compare the defense mechanisms used by the patients with IBS and a control group, and to investigate the relationship between these mechanisms with the severity of the disease and patients’ quality of life. METHODS Fourty-five patients with IBS (mean age of 37.1 years; 14 males) and 45 controls (mean age of 38.0 years; 13 males) were evaluated. IBS diagnosis was determined based on Rome III criteria and the predominant pattern of the disease was determined based on the patient’s history (13 diarrheapredominant, 16 constipation-predominant, and 16 alternating IBS). Defense Style Questionnaire-40, IBS Severity Scale, and IBS-Quality of Life questionnaire were used.RESULTSThe mean scores of projection, acting-out, somatization, autistic fantasy, passive-aggression, and reaction formation in the IBS group were significantly higher than the control group and the mean scores of humor and anticipation mechanisms were higher in the control group. There was no significant correlation between the score of defense mechanisms and the severity of IBS and the patients’ quality of life.CONCLUSIONThe severity of immature defenses in the IBS group was significantly higher, whereas the severity of mature defenses was higher in the control group. These defenses were not correlated with the severity of IBS. Considering the limited sample size, these relationships need to be more investigated.

Validation of the Recovery Style Questionnaire in Outpatients With Affective Disorders.

Considering how patients recover from mental illness is crucial to offer appropriate therapeutic interventions. This study was designed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Recovery Style Questionnaire (RSQ) in a sample of outpatients recruited among the referrals to a crisis intervention center presenting with mood or anxiety disorders. Assessments completed at intake and at discharge examined the recovery styles with the RSQ, psychiatric symptoms with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale version 4.0, and the Symptom Checklist-Revised; defense mechanisms with the Defense Style Questionnaire 40 items; and global functioning with the Global Assessment Functioning. The RSQ has acceptable reliability, divergent validity, and sensitivity to change after treatment. These findings suggest that the RSQ is a valid and reliable instrument to assess recovery style. They also offer evidence of the usefulness of the RSQ in various clinical settings, such as in crisis intervention centers.

Do defence styles and approaches to learning ‘fit together’ in students’ profiles? Differences between years of study

The study aims at investigating students’ learning/defence profiles. It also explores students’ profiles during different years of study. Participants comprised of 425 undergraduates. They completed the ‘Approaches to Study and Skills Inventory’ and the ‘Defense Style Questionnaire’. The students’ academic achievement was measured through grade point average. Cluster analysis revealed three profiles: ‘restricted maturity and dissonant-unorganized’ students, ‘defensive and reproduction oriented’ students, and ‘mature and learning advanced’ students. The profiles correspond to adaptive and maladaptive learning patterns. The study also revealed few (a) differences across the years of study (on strategic approach) and (b) interactions between the three clusters and the years of study (on mature defence style and GPA). The findings are discussed in relation to recent literature. Limitations and future research suggestions are presented.

The role of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving attachment patterns, defense styles, and alexithymia in patients with depressive/anxiety disorders.

Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) emphasizes the centrality of intrapsychic and unconscious conflicts and their relation to development. Although there is evidence supporting the efficacy of LTPP in mental disorders, little research has been published on the efficacy of LTPP for depressive and anxiety disorders. To examine whether patients with anxiety and depressive disorders demonstrate improvement in their attachment styles, defense styles, psychiatric symptoms, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and alexithymia with LTPP. In this retrospective, descriptive study, the psychological outcomes of patients who were treated at the psychoanalytic clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences were assessed. Fourteen patients diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorder participated in the study of LTPP using the self-psychology approach. The Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Adult Attachment Scale, 40-item Defense Style Questionnaire, and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale were administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze changes in psychological outcomes after each of the three assessments. The mean scores of depression and anxiety and secure attachment improved significantly after LTPP with self-psychology approach from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Also, the mean scores of neurotic and immature defenses, difficulty in identifying feelings, difficulty in describing feelings, externally oriented thinking, and total alexithymia scores decreased significantly from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Symptoms of anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, insecure attachment styles, alexithymia, and neurotic/immature defense styles improved after the LTPP with self-psychology approach. Moreover, the improvements persisted at the 6-month follow-up.

A psychometric analysis of the Polish version of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) in a nonclinical sample of young adults

A psychometric analysis of the Polish version of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) in a nonclinical sample of young adults

The Investigation of the Mediator Effect of Sexism and Defense Style in the Relationship Between Homophobia and Aggression.

Homophobia is seen all over the world and it may lead to aggressive behavior towards individuals with different sexual orientations. In this study, it is aimed to examine the mediator effect of sexism and defense style in the relationship between homophobia and aggression. 281 students from Tekirdağ Namık Kemal and İstanbul Aydın University are included in the study. The participants filled out the Demographic Information Form, Hudson-Ricketts Homophobia Scale, Defense Style Questionnaire, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and Aggression Questionnaire. It was found that as homophobia level increased, sexism, neurotic and immature defense style increased. In addition, the relationship between homophobia and aggression was mediated by neurotic defenses and hostile sexism. Moreover, it was found that immature defense styles have a significant positive relationship with aggression. The findings of the study suggest that homophobia is related to aggression and this relationship coincides with other findings in the literature. However, it is seen that there are findings that coincide with the literature on the mediator effect of sexism and defense styles in the relationship between homophobia and aggression.

Defense style and dissociative phenomena in patients with borderline personality disorder

Introduction Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are unique and diverse in their pathology, defense style, and clinical presentations. Many of these patients have other personality disorders as well. They tend to display a wide range of other psychiatric disorders, including dissociative phenomena and experiences. Patients and methods A total of 60 female patients were diagnosed with BPD using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IV ed. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders. Severity of illness and emotional and behavioral aspects of patients were assessed using Borderline Evaluation of Severity over Time. Defense style of patients was assessed using the Defense Style Questionnaire. Dissociative phenomena were studied using the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Results The most commonly used defenses by the study patients were undoing, idealization, somatization, and splitting. Patients with absent criteria 4 (impulsivity) and 7 (feeling of emptiness) of BPD significantly displayed more mature defenses, whereas patients having criterion 9 (paranoid ideation and severe dissociation) of BPD significantly displayed neurotic type of defenses. Mature defenses were significantly negatively correlated with the absorption and depersonalization factors of DES. Neurotic defenses were significantly correlated with the total score of DES, absorption, and depersonalization factors. Immature defenses were significantly correlated only with the depersonalization factor of DES. Conclusion Patients with BPD have a specific pattern of defense style that might be linked to their specific illness criteria. Displaying certain phenomena of dissociation might be related to the particular pattern of the dominant defense mechanisms in these patients.

Defense mechanisms and quality of life in military personnel with burnout syndrome

Background/Aim. Professional military personnel are exposed to a number of stressors during the war as well as in peacetime conditions that can cause some hidden or manifest disorders, especially anxiety and depression, but also the development of a burnout syndrome. The aim of our investigation was to determine the defense mechanisms and subjective assessment of quality of life and anxiety in professional military personnel of the Serbian Armed Forces with the burnout syndrome. Methods. The cross-sectional study included a total of 55 professional military personnel, from 25 to 55 years of age, without current mental problem. In the investigation, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), World Health Organization Abbreviated Instrument for Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used. The statistical analysis included parametric and nonparametric descriptive statistics. Results. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were present in 10.9% of subjects and in 12.7% of subjects respectively, in moderate level, while personal accomplishment was present in 21.8% of subjects of high level. Humor was higher in the subjects with a moderate level of burnout on the personal accomplishment (PA) scale and altruism in the subjects with a low level of burnout on the depersonalization (DP) scale as well as acting-out and rationalization on the PA scale in the subjects with a moderate level of burnout. High level of anxiety was present in 14.5% of subjects. Conclusion. Professional military personnel with lower level of burnout were less anxious, use mature defense mechanisms and have a perception of better quality of life. When burnout is diagnosed, psychological interventions requires training through the adoption of mechanisms for overcoming everyday stress, which may affect the reduction of anxiety and the improvement of the quality of life. Professional assistance, including psychotherapy is required in severe cases.

Victimization in childhood as a suicide risk factor in adults

Background/Aim. There is a burgeoning literature on the association between childhood victimization and the risk of suicidal behavior in early adolescence, while there is significantly less research showing this association in adults. The aim of our study was to examine whether victimization in childhood increased the likelihood of suicide attempt in adults. Methods. The sample consisted of 90 patients, 71 females and 19 males, aged 37.92 ? 11.04 years on average, hospitalized in the Day Hospital of the Clinic of Psychiatry Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. The Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and Beck Depression Inventory were used for 50 patients following suicide attempt and in 40 patients who were on psychotherapeutic treatment due to various life crises not resulting in suicide attempt. According to the indications, we excluded the patients with psychosis (F20-F29, F30-31 and F 32.3), substances abuse (F10-F19) and dementia (F00-F09), satisfying International Classification of Diseases-10 version (ICD-10) (the World Health Organization criteria). The examinees of both groups were matched by age, education and marital status. Comparison of the patient groups was done by the Students? t-test for the parametric features and Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data. Results. The suicide attempters had moderate depression (19.76 ? 10.52) and used immature defense mechanisms (p &lt; 0.001). The JVQ established statistical differences in the Total score (p &lt; 0.005) and in two modules: Peer and Sibling Victimization (p &lt; 0.005) and Sexual victimization (p &lt; 0.005). Conclusion. The adults who were more likely to attempt suicide during their lifetime were more often victims of peer and sexual abuse in their childhood. Data on victimization in early childhood provide opportunities for early detection of persons with suicide risk that could help in the psychotherapeutic work with these patients, but also in the suicide prevention in a wider population.

Effectiveness of an Educational Program in Enhancing Infertile Women’s Psychological Health

Background: Infertility is a worldwide problem with negative impacts on psychological health of couples. Nurses have a crucial role in the mitigation of these problems. Aim of the study: To examine the effectiveness of a nursing intervention in enhancing infertile women’s psychological health and improving associated disorders. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted in the outpatient department at Qena General Hospital using a one-group quasi-experimental design. It involved 90 infertile women attending the setting for management. An interview questionnaire form with four scales namely the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Experiences of Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), and the Defensive Style Questionnaire (DSQ-60) was used in data collection. The researcher designed and implemented by the researchers in the light of the needs identified in the pre-intervention assessment phase. The study was achieved through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases. Results: Women’ age ranged between 21 and 47 years, mostly with primary infertility (80.0%). Statistically significant improvements were demonstrated at the post-intervention phase in all four domains of GHQ (p<0.001), and the mean total score increased from 39.6 to 68.0 (p<0.001). The total median narcissism personality score decreased from 24.50 before the intervention to 16.00 after the intervention (p<0.001). As for ECR-attachment scale, the median dropped from 4.16 to 3.11 (p<0.001). Similar statistically significant post-intervention improvements were revealed in the DSQ-60 scale. The multivariate analysis identified the study intervention as the main positive predictor of the GHQ score, a negative predictor of the narcissistic and ECR scores. Meanwhile, the study intervention was a positive predictor of the adapt DSQ domain whereas it was a negative predictor of the affect regulating domain score. Conclusion and recommendations: Infertile women suffer a number of psychological problems that are amenable to treatment through simple educational nursing interventions. Such educational endeavors should be implemented on a wide scale in all similar settings.

Do Psychosocial Factors Moderate the Relation between Testosterone and Female Sexual Desire? The Role of Interoception, Alexithymia, Defense Mechanisms, and Relationship Status

Low sexual desire is a common complaint among women in the reproductive years. There is controversy regarding the relationship between testosterone (T) and female desire, but there is also lack of research on moderators. Lack of awareness of effects of T on emotions and bodily sensations might interfere with the subjective experience of desire. Moreover, T appears to be more important for searching and competing for partners than for long-term pair bonding. Therefore, we examined if interoception, alexithymia, maladaptive psychological defenses, and relationship status, moderated the relationship between salivary T and female desire. One hundred sixty eight Portuguese women of reproductive age completed the desire dimension of the Female Sexual Function Index, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). Interoception was determined by a heartbeat detection task. Participants reported if they had a regular sexual partner. Luminescence immunoassays were used to determine salivary T. Three multiple regressions models revealed that, among unpartnered women, higher desire was predicted by the combinations of 1) higher T and lesser alexithymia, 2) higher T and less use of maladaptive defenses, 3) higher T and greater interoception. For partnered women, neither T nor the interactions of T with indices of emotional and bodily awareness predicted desire. These findings provide preliminary evidence that T is more important for the desire of unpartnered women, and that lack of conscious awareness of emotions and bodily sensations interferes with the effects of T on the subjective experience of desire.

The relationship between defense mechanisms and religious coping using a new two-factor solution for the Defense Style Questionnaire-40.

This study examined the factor structure of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and explored the relationships between defense mechanisms and religious coping in a diverse sample of 380 college students. In contrast with the three-factor model of defenses proposed by the developers of the DSQ-40, principal axis factoring yielded two internally consistent components: adaptive and maladaptive defense styles. Endorsement of adaptive defenses was positively correlated with the use of positive religious coping strategies and negatively correlated with negative religious coping. Maladaptive defenses were associated with the endorsement of negative religious coping strategies. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made for future use of the DSQ-40.