Comprehension of defense mechanisms in emotionally disturbed adolescents.
The comprehension of defence mechanisms may constitute a productive assessment domain in working with emotionally disturbed adolescents. The development of comprehension of defence mechanisms was compared in two age groups of 39 emotionally disturbed and 39 nondisturbed adolescents. Results indicated that the level of comprehension varied as a function of clinical group and age level for understanding specific types of defense mechanisms. A principal component analysis revealed three types of mechanisms: self-oriented, other-oriented, and situation-oriented defenses. Differences in comprehension of self-oriented defenses were evident in a group by age interaction, whereas other-oriented defenses were associated with age differences only. Implications of the findings for clinical and educational interventions with emotionally disturbed youngsters are discussed.
Rosenthal
S L
SL
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Simeonsson
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent