title: Defense mechanisms and adjustment in normal adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared self-perception of defense patterns with objective and independent ratings of general adjustment in normal adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-perception of defense utilization by 140 high school students was measured by an adolescent version of Bond's Defense Style Questionnaire. The DSM-III-R Global Assessment of Functioning Scale was used by clinicians in determining general adjustment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Defense style and adjustment were significantly related; greater maturity of defense style was associated with better global adjustment, and conversely, greater immaturity of defense style was associated with a lower level of functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents' self-perceived defense patterns have conscious correlates associated with general adjustment. This study extends the validity of the defense mechanism paradigm to the adolescent age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5540, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010551:Personality; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept