The Role of Defense Mechanisms in Borderline and Antisocial Personalities

Abstract

We examined whether borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (APD) could be differentiated based on defense mechanisms as measured by observer (Defense-Q; MacGregor, Olson, Presniak, & Davidson, 2008) and self-report (Defense Style Questionnaire; Andrews, Singh, & Bond, 1993) measures. We conducted 2 studies whereby nonclinical participants were divided into borderline and antisocial groups based on scores from the Personality Assessment Inventory (Morey, 1991). Multivariate analysis of variance results revealed significant overall group differences in defense use. Univariate analyses further showed group differences on several individual defenses (e.g., acting out, denial, and turning against self). Together, the findings suggest that in BPD, the defenses may emphasize interpersonal dependency and a tendency to direct aggression toward the self; whereas in APD, the defenses may emphasize egocentricity, interpersonal exploitation, and a tendency to direct aggression toward others. Overall, this study demonstrates important differences in defense use between borderline and antisocial personality groups across both observer and self-report measures.

Review of Ph.D Studies in Humanities: Updating New Horizons in Education

“…Of the seven defenses hypothesized to be higher in the antisocial personality disorder group, two were supported (devaluation of others and grandiosity), one was partially supported (denial; all effects in the right direction, but only one of three was significant), one was inconsistently supported (rationalization), and three were not supported (intellectualization, turning against the object, and projection). Consistent with the hypothesis and previous theory and research [37][38][39], was found partial support that the BPD (Borderline personality disorder) group would use the maladaptive defenses (acting out and passive aggression) more than the APD (Antisocial personality disorder) group [37].…”

“…They strongly fear their true Defense Mechanisms selfstate of feeling worthless or devalued, and the use of denial and omnipotence/grandiosity helps keep this experience of the self from awareness. They tend to disavow any negative experience by denying the effects of their behaviors on others, rationalizing their criminal and/or aggressive actions, and projecting their negative experiences onto others [37,40,41]. The predictors of ASP were the minor image-distorting defenses (i.e., omnipotence, devaluation, and idealization) and disavowal defenses (i.e., denial, rationalization, and projection) [40].…”

“…MacGregor [37] made the research which aimed to define the relationship between personality disorders and defense mechanisms. The researchers obtained following results: of the five defenses hypothesized to be higher in the borderline personality disorder group, two were supported (passive aggression and turning against self), one was inconsistently supported (acting out), and two were not supported (idealization and splitting).…”

Personality dimensions and defense styles that are related with relapse during 12 month follow-up in male alcohol dependents

“…Several studies among patients with personality disorder reported positive associations between immature (maladaptive or nonadaptive) defenses and personality disorders and negative relations between mature (adaptive) defenses and personality pathology (48,(62)(63)(64). Although both antisocial personality disorder (APD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are associated with primitive defenses, acting-out in particular (65), some findings have supported that BPD may demonstrate higher levels of maladaptive defenses, such as acting-out and passive-aggression, compared to other personality disorder groups (66). The DSQ's acting-out predominantly assesses impulsivity and limited aggression, which may be more likely to be selfreported by individuals with BPD or APD (66).…”

“…Although both antisocial personality disorder (APD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are associated with primitive defenses, acting-out in particular (65), some findings have supported that BPD may demonstrate higher levels of maladaptive defenses, such as acting-out and passive-aggression, compared to other personality disorder groups (66). The DSQ's acting-out predominantly assesses impulsivity and limited aggression, which may be more likely to be selfreported by individuals with BPD or APD (66). Comorbidities such as APD and BPD are common among substance dependents and appear to be negatively associated with treatment outcome (67).…”