An empirical study of the relationship between diagnosis and defense style.
The relationship between DSM-III diagnosis and defense style was studied in a sample of 74 psychiatric patients. The subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire composed of 81 statements about behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, which were designed to reflect various unconscious defense mechanisms. Factor analysis yielded four defense styles ranging on a continuum from primitive to mature. Patients' defense styles were compared with their diagnoses on axes I, II, and IV of DSM-III. Significant relationships were found between defense style and only one diagnosis, major affective disorder. The fact that DSM-III diagnosis could not predict defense style suggests that diagnosis and defense style are two independent dimensions. If this can be confirmed by further, more adequate studies, a sixth axis reflecting psychodynamic formulation would provide additional information necessary for therapeutic planning.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics