Related Experiment Videos
Defense mechanisms and adjustment in normal adolescents
S J Erickson1, S S Feldman, H Steiner
1Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5540, USA.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Adolescents’ self-perceived defense patterns are linked to their overall adjustment. Mature defense styles correlate with better functioning, while immature styles are associated with lower adjustment levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Defense Mechanisms
Background:
- Understanding adolescent psychological development is crucial.
- Defense mechanisms play a significant role in psychological functioning.
- Previous research has explored defense styles in adults, but less is known about adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare adolescents' self-perception of defense patterns with objective ratings of their general adjustment.
- To investigate the relationship between defense styles and global functioning in adolescents.
- To extend the validity of the defense mechanism paradigm to the adolescent age group.
Main Methods:
- 140 high school students completed an adolescent version of Bond's Defense Style Questionnaire to assess self-perceived defense utilization.
- Clinicians used the DSM-III-R Global Assessment of Functioning Scale to rate participants' general adjustment.
- Statistical analyses were performed to examine the relationship between defense style and adjustment.
Main Results:
- A significant relationship was found between defense style and general adjustment in adolescents.
- A more mature defense style was associated with better global adjustment.
- Conversely, a less mature defense style was linked to a lower level of functioning.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents' self-perceptions of their defense patterns have conscious links to their general adjustment.
- The findings support the validity of the defense mechanism paradigm in understanding adolescent psychological functioning.
- This study highlights the importance of defense styles in adolescent adjustment and development.