Defense mechanisms and adjustment in normal adolescents.
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.
Erickson
S J
SJ
Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5540, USA.
Feldman
S S
SS
Steiner
H
H
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