Differential Validity of the Defense Mechanism Manual for the TAT Between Asian Americans and Whites

Hibbard, Stephen; Tang, Paulette C. Y.; Latko, Romney; Park, Ju Hui; Munn, Sidney; Bolz, Sabina; Somerville, Addison W.

doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa7503_01

“…Consistently, the use of mature defenses is found to be associated with positive personality characteristics, such as empathy, higher self‐esteem, an internal locus of control, competence, self‐confidence, outgoingness, and a secure attachment style. In contrast, the use of immature defenses is associated with indications of difficulty, such as irresponsibility, self‐centeredness, unclear ‘fuzzy’ thinking, and anxiety (e.g., Cramer, 2002a,b; Cramer & Tracy, 2005; Davidson, McGregor, Johnson, Woody, & Chaplin, 2004; Hibbard et al., 2000; Romans, Martin, Morris, & Herbison, 1999; Whitty, 2003). Furthermore, use of mature defenses by young adults has predicted multiple indications of later positive adjustment, whereas immature defense use was related to later problems (Vaillant, 1993).…”

Section: Pillar III Defenses Are Part Of Normal Everyday Functioninmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seven Pillars of Defense Mechanism Theory

Cramer

¹

2008

Social & Personality Psych

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Defense mechanisms are cognitive processes that function to protect the individual from excessive anxiety or other negative emotions. They also protect the person from loss of self‐esteem and, in the extreme, the loss of self‐integration. Although past critics questioned the existence of defense mechanisms, recent research has supported seven basic tenets regarding defenses. These include: (1) defenses function outside of awareness; (2) there is a chronology of defense development; (3) defenses are present in the normal personality; (4) defense use increases under conditions of stress; (5) defense use reduces the conscious experience of negative emotions; (6) defense function is connected to the autonomic nervous system; (7) excessive use of defenses is associated with psychopathology. Research supporting the seven pillars of defense mechanism theory is described in this essay.

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“…Suppressing or repressing emotions, on the other hand, has been seen negatively with regard to mental health [ 21 , 37 ]. Emotional suppression and repression have been positively linked up with depression [ 32 , 34 , 35 ], anxiety [ 39 ], personality disorders [ 18 , 30 , 40 ], low self-esteem [ 34 ], irresponsibility, self-centeredness [ 16 , 26 – 28 , 38 , 41 ], maladaptive functioning [ 3 ], eating disorders [ 25 ], somatic problems [ 29 ], etc. Cognitive hyperactivity is an integral part of both anxiety [ 144 ] and depression [ 145 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Profanity as a Self-Defense Mechanism and an Outlet for Emotional Catharsis in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Husain

¹

,

Wasif

²

,

Fatima

³

2023

Depression Research and Treatment

3

0

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Background. Swearing is an increasing trend among men and women worldwide. Earlier studies on the positive aspects of profanity mostly relate to pain management and the release of negative emotions. The uniqueness of the current study is its analysis for a possible constructive role of profanity in stress, anxiety, and depression. Method. The current survey involved 253 conveniently selected participants from Pakistan. The study analyzed the role of profanity in connection to stress, anxiety, and depression. Profanity Scale and the Urdu version of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were used along with a structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and t -test were implied to obtain results. Results. The study revealed that the usage of profane language had significantly inverse correlations with stress ( r = − 0.250 ; p < 0.01 ), anxiety ( r = − 0.161 ; p < 0.05 ), and depression ( r = − 0.182 ; p < 0.01 ). Higher profaners also revealed significantly lower levels of depression ( M = 29.91 , SD = 10.80 vs. M = 33.48 , SD = 10.40 ; p = 0.009 ; Cohen’s d = 0.338 ) and stress ( M = 30.83 , SD = 11.41 vs. M = 35.16 , SD = 11.31 ; p = 0.003 ; Cohen’s d = 0.381 ) as compared to lower profaners. Profanity had no significant correlations with age ( r = 0.031 ; p > 0.05 ) and education ( r = 0.016 ; p > 0.05 ). Men projected significantly higher levels of profanity as compared to women. Conclusion. The current study viewed profanity similar to the self-defense mechanisms and emphasized on its cathartic role in stress, anxiety, and depression.

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“…Re-drawings of the standard Murray TAT set and administration of picture stimuli techniques have been used in various cross-cultural studies (Henry, 1956;Sherwood, 1957;Goldschmidt & Edgerton, 1961;Spindler & Spindler, 1965;Goldstine & Gutmann, 1972;Costantino & Malgady, 1983;Vaz, 1993;De Vos, 1997;Hibbard et al 2000;Monopoli & Alworth, 2000). Researchers in psychological anthropology have expressed concerns over the validity and reliability of projective techniques in cross-cultural studies (Edgerton, 1970).…”

Section: The Fotodialogo Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaginary pictures, real life stories: the FotoDialogo method

Ramos

¹

2007

International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education

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This paper explores methodological issues of recording, revisiting and portraying women's life experiences and their connections to the past, to their families and to their communities. It examines the personal histories and collective memories of a group of low-income Hispanic women, through the application of an innovative research tool that uses pictures and storytelling as projective techniques. The FotoDialogo Method uses a set of original drawings to initiate dialogical interviews, to inspire research participants to tell their stories, and to critically analyze the situations presented in these stories. The research study took place at a community-based organization providing non-formal education programs to the Spanish-speaking population in a US inner-city setting. The FotoDialogo Method has the potential to be an effective tool to help underprivileged women break the silence concerning their experiences of oppression and to engage them in a process of self-discovery and transformation that empowers them to become change agents within their families and communities.

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Differential Validity of the Defense Mechanism Manual for the TAT Between Asian Americans and Whites

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Seven Pillars of Defense Mechanism Theory

Seven Pillars of Defense Mechanism Theory

Profanity as a Self-Defense Mechanism and an Outlet for Emotional Catharsis in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Imaginary pictures, real life stories: the FotoDialogo method

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