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Defence style and behaviour therapy outcome in a specific phobia
1Department of Experimental Abnormal Psychology, Limburg University, The Netherlands.
Psychological Medicine
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Patients with animal phobias and controls use similar defense styles. However, immature defenses, particularly projection, were linked to poorer outcomes in behavior therapy for specific phobias.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies used to cope with distress.
- Specific phobias are characterized by intense, irrational fears.
- Behavior therapy is a common treatment for specific phobias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare defense styles between patients with specific phobias and non-phobic controls.
- To investigate the relationship between defense styles and behavior therapy outcomes in specific phobia patients.
Main Methods:
- The Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) was administered to 54 patients with animal-type specific phobias and 29 healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses were used to compare defense patterns and correlate them with treatment results.
Main Results:
- Specific phobia patients and control subjects showed similar patterns of defense styles.
- An immature defense style, specifically projection, was associated with less favorable outcomes in behavior therapy.
Conclusions:
- Defense style patterns do not differentiate specific phobia patients from controls.
- Immature defense mechanisms, particularly projection, may impede successful behavior therapy for specific phobias.