[The clinical relevance of defense mechanisms in inpatients and outpatients]

Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2011;57(2):202-9. doi: 10.13109/zptm.2011.57.2.202.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Objectives: How clearcut is the clinical significance of mature and immature defense mechanisms in psychological symptoms?

Methods: Defense mechanisms, symptoms and well-being were assessed in 293 inpatients, 316 outpatients and 157 students.

Results: The factors "mature defense" and "immature defense" predict well-being/symptoms to a substantial degree.

Discussion: The assessment of defense mechanism via self-report is clinically useful.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Defense Mechanisms*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / therapy
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology*
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / therapy*
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology*
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy*
  • Young Adult