A Critical Appraisal of Self‐Report Defense Mechanism Measures

Abstract

Defense mechanisms have been a source of both fascination and frustration for most personality researchers because they are conceptually intriguing but their assessment is often problematic. To aid personality researchers in integrating defense mechanism theory into personality research, we review and critique the major existing self-report defense mechanism measures:

The meaning of the body schema in reaching maturity during late adolescence

“…According to current psychodynamic theories (Davidson & MacGregor, 1998), defence mechanisms are considered relatively stable response dispositions triggered by internal or external stress and conflict. Their crucial role is to protect self-esteem, and guard integration of the self in extremely difficult situations.…”

Early change in maladaptive defence style and development of the therapeutic alliance

“…According to classic psychodynamic theory, defensive functioning is supposed to be stable over time, reflecting trait-like characteristics (Davidson & MacGregor, 1998). However, changes in defensive functioning have been shown to occur in BPI as the result of state changes related to the patients' crises and the therapeutic process (Drapeau et al, 2003).…”

Приверженность ВААРТ И Рискованное Поведение Среди Пациентов Санкт-Петербургского Центра-Спид: Стати- Стические Модели, Психологические И Социодемографические Факторы

“…Особенности правил кодирования дают возмож-ность определить как надежность, кодирование повествовательного материа-ла [4,45] и Q-сортировку [47,56,79], так и валидность измерений. Достоинства и недостатки самоотчета и методов наблюдения были обсуждены [46,77]. До сих пор не существует единого мнения по поводу общего числа механизмов защиты: оно колеблется от 10 до 23 [16].…”