Emotion Regulation and Defense Mechanisms

Sala, Maria Nives; Testa, Silvia; Pons, Francisco; Molina, Paola

doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000151

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…This outcome contrasts with the results of Fischer-Kern et al ( 35 ), who did not find a significant correlation between mentalization, as measured by reflective functioning, and the use of primitive defense styles. However, in light of previous research, the associations found in our investigations can still be considered plausible given that mentalization plays a key role in determining and controlling emotions ( 2 ) and that humans who use more rigid emotional regulation strategies are prone to maladaptive defense styles ( 71 , 72 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Increasing Mentalization to Reduce Maladaptive Defense in Patients With Mental Disorders

et al. 2021

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Background: There are indications of associations between the ability to mentalize and psychological defense mechanisms. However, only a few studies have focused on these associations, and even fewer have included empirical analyses. In the present study, we aimed to fill this research gap by analyzing the link between the ability to mentalize and psychological defense mechanisms in patients with mental disorders. We examined whether changes in defense mechanisms are predicted by an increase in mentalization or whether such changes are only related to reductions in psychopathology and interpersonal problems.Methods: A clinical sample of N = 89 patients was studied during and after inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to determine changes in mentalization, psychological defense, psychopathology, and interpersonal problems over the course of therapy and post-treatment. Linear regression analyses were used to predict the change in defense patterns based on an increase in mentalization.Results: Maladaptive defense mechanisms were significantly reduced during inpatient therapy and remained low until follow-up, whereas neurotic and adaptive defense mechanisms did not change significantly. The results of the regression analyses indicated that mentalization played an important role in the reduction in maladaptive defense during and after inpatient rehabilitation for mental disorders, whereas reductions in psychopathology and interpersonal distress were only partially associated with a reduction in maladaptive defense.Conclusion: We conclude that mentalization is vital for reducing maladaptive defense mechanisms, which are commonly associated with mental disorders. In therapy, an increase in patients' capacity to mentalize may be a practicable approach to diminish maladaptive defense mechanisms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Increasing Mentalization to Reduce Maladaptive Defense in Patients With Mental Disorders

et al. 2021

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“…In addition, the presence of an immature defense style makes it impossible to develop adaptive solutions to problems, and the individuals are trapped in a damaging spiral, in which the inflexibility of both types of coping reinforces them, thus increasing the depression risk (Sala, Testa, Pons, & Molina, ). Notably, the present results extend previous research by providing an important explanatory mechanism depicting how the two coping strategies interact.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Contribution of rumination and defense styles

2017

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“…It has also been shown in this paper that reliance on the emotional-avoidant coping pattern in AD individuals, compared to those who mainly use task-oriented strategies, is associated with a greater tendency to use immature defense mechanisms such as passive aggression, projection, denial and splitting. According to Sala et al (2015) , mature defense mechanisms are accompanied by more adaptive strategies of coping with stress such as positive reevaluation or developing a further plan of action. An interesting result obtained in our study is that contrary to reports in the literature ( Ward & Rothaus, 1991 ), the cluster of individuals presenting an emotional-avoidant coping pattern did not differ in terms of the intensity of reliance on the denial mechanism but more frequently applied displacement and splitting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress

Iwanicka¹,

Gerhant

Olajossy

2017

PeerJ

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BackgroundThe problem of coping with stress is an important one in the context of development and persistence of alcohol dependence. In the literature to date very little attention has been paid to coping patterns construed as a configuration of specific coping styles, particularly as regards the functioning of addicted individuals. The aim of the study was to verify whether individuals with alcohol dependence characterized by different coping patterns differ with respect to the severity of psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives.MethodsParticipants were given a battery of psychological tests—Coping Inventory for Stresfull Situations (CISS), Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ 40), Syndrom Checklist (SCL-90) and Short Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (SZPTI-PL). The sample comprised 112 individuals with alcohol dependence, aged 20 to 63 years old, the average age was 37.86; 78 percent were men. There were identified three sub-groups of individuals characterized by a distinctive patterns of coping with stress —“emotional-avoidant”, “task oriented” and a “mixed one”.ResultsIndividuals with the predominant emotional-avoidant coping pattern are characterized by significantly higher severity of psychopathological symptoms, less mature defense mechanisms and past time perspectives. Subjects reliant on task-oriented coping pattern were characterized by the highest level of adaptation and the most constructive way of functioning in the face of difficulties.ConclusionIt is worth regarding the examination of patterns of coping as an indispensable element of collecting medical history from alcohol dependent individuals.

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Emotion Regulation and Defense Mechanisms

Cited by 19 publications

References 45 publications

Increasing Mentalization to Reduce Maladaptive Defense in Patients With Mental Disorders

Increasing Mentalization to Reduce Maladaptive Defense in Patients With Mental Disorders

Exploring the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Contribution of rumination and defense styles

Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress

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