Defense styles, hostility, and psychological risk factors in male patients with personality disorders

The purpose of this study was to compare ratings of defense styles and hostility in male patients with personality disorders, to determine whether either of these is related to a borderline diagnosis, or to specific psychological risk factors. Subjects with personality disorders were divided into borderline personality disorder (BPD) (N = 61) and non-BPD (N = 60) groups were given both the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) and the Buss-Durkee Guilt-Hostility Inventory (BDHI). Risk factors were measured by a developmental interview and the the Parental Bonding Index. The BPD group reported more maladaptive and image distorting defenses on the DSQ, as well as higher ratings on the BDHI. Ratings on both dependent measures were strongly related to diagnosis, and more weakly to measures of psychological risk factors. Thus, in men with personality disorders, immature defense styles and high levels of hostility are strongly associated with a borderline diagnosis.