Defensive functioning of homeless youth in relation to experiences of child maltreatment and cumulative victimization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between use of defense mechanisms and experiences of child maltreatment and cumulative victimization among homeless youth.


METHODS
Twenty-five homeless youth were individually interviewed regarding their victimization experiences and coping strategies. Use of defense mechanisms was assessed using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale.


RESULTS
Relationships were demonstrated between use of defenses and specific as well as cumulative victimization experiences. All levels of defenses became more pervasive in response to victimization, but this was not a predictor of overall immature defensive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical and program interventions to engage homeless youth need to incorporate an understanding of the relationship between defenses and victimization in order to be effective in maximizing upon the strengths of this population.
Department of Social Work, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA.
Carrie
C
Mounier
Estela
E
Andujo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric