Mature Defense Mechanisms Affect Successful Adjustment in Young Adulthood-Adjustment to Military Service in South Korea

Abstract

Objective A defense mechanism is an automatic psychological process necessary for successful adaptation. It reflects adaptive capacity. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the adaptation ability of individuals who face mandatory military service and the pattern of defense mechanisms. Methods The subjects were 69 men (21.4±2.2 years) who expressed psychological difficulties in three military service situations. Control group was 36 men (24.0±1.4 years) who had successfully completed military service. We examined psychiatric history, the pattern of defense mechanisms, and depression and anxiety levels. Defense mechanisms were compared between two groups. Results The maladjusted group used immature defenses more frequently than the control group did. There were no differences in the defense patterns according to diagnosis. The control group used more identification and rationalization, classified as immature defenses. The temporarily maladjusted group used more somatization, regression, and avoidance. Conclusion Using mature defense mechanisms helped young adults to adapt to a particular situation. The maturity of the defense is more valuable than the psychiatric diagnosis. Some immature defenses are also helpful to adapt. We cautiously assume that some defenses can be protective or risk factors in adapting to stressful situations by young adults.

Psychological Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Among Italians During the First Week of Lockdown

“…These mechanisms appear to moderate the relationship between other risk factors-such as knowing someone with COVID-19-and symptoms of distress and PTSD. The key role of implicit emotion regulation in dealing with stressful life events is particularly important for vulnerable people, such as patients with chronic physical and mental illness (51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56).…”

The Effect of Psychological Self-Defence on the Performance of Graduates Employed in Matched and Mismatched Roles

“…Past studies (e.g., Soldz & Vaillant, 1998) have found that as participants grew older, the use of immature defence mechanisms decreased, and the use of mature defence mechanisms increased. Nam et al's (2019) study examined the use of mature defence mechanisms among military servicemen in South Korea. The control group consisted of 36 men who reported no negative psychological effects as a result of military service, and the experimental group was comprised of 69 men who experienced psychological impediments related to military service.…”

“…The maturity of such defence mechanisms is positively associated with adaptability and negatively associated with psychopathology (Nam et al, 2019).…”

Defense mechanism responses to COVID-19

“…In an Italian cohort, different levels of defenses were related to varying degrees of adaptation to stress ( Di Giuseppe et al., 2020c ). In addition, emotional regulation is of utmost importance during stressful times, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as patients suffering from physical or mental illnesses ( Di Giuseppe et al., 2020c ; Zilcha-Mano, 2021 ; Boldrini et al., 2020 ; Di Giuseppe et al., 2020 ; Martino et al., 2020a ; Martino et al., 2020 ; Nam et al., 2019 ). One study of defense mechanisms and coping strategies found that coping mechanisms, a positive attitude, and mature defense mechanisms negatively correlated with perceived stress ( Gori, Topino & Di Fabio, 2020 ).…”