Gender differences in defensive style

This study examines gender differences in defensive style across the domains of work and intimate relationships. Participants (47 women and 38 men) completed two versions (work-related; interpersonally related) of Bond's (1983) Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Results showed that, while all participants use primarily mature defenses, they are significantly more likely to use immature defenses in love than at work; men are also significantly more likely than women to use immature defenses at work. In addition, women report significantly more use of intermediate defenses than men at work, while men report significantly more use of intermediate defenses than women in love. Results are discussed in light of Chodorow's (1978) theory of gender differences in development.