The Conceptual Tragedy in Studying Defense Mechanisms

Mihalits, Dominik Stefan; Codenotti, Marco

doi:10.1007/s12124-020-09515-6

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…These theories show that coping evolves as a person’s cognitive functions mature [ 76 ]. This study further supports the notion of defences as behavioural phenomena, rather than referring to defence mechanisms as measurable constructs [ 77 ]. It is therefore conjectured that defensive coping is an important, dynamic and interrelated behavioural phenomenon that could potentially be conducive to adjustment, because it is a natural part of identity work.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…The value of the psychodynamic approach to coping was celebrated in the findings and highlighted defensive coping as an essential and natural part of the whole coping dynamic. We support research proponents of in-depth, qualitative inquiry into the study of defensive coping [77]. Continuous interpretive inquiry from a psychodynamic stance, to build theory abductively [77], is recommended to enhance our understanding of defensive coping as part of adjustment rather than pure evidence of maladaptive coping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…We support research proponents of in-depth, qualitative inquiry into the study of defensive coping [77]. Continuous interpretive inquiry from a psychodynamic stance, to build theory abductively [77], is recommended to enhance our understanding of defensive coping as part of adjustment rather than pure evidence of maladaptive coping. In this vein, we recommend research exploring students' identity work as it evolves in their self-reflective work throughout the year, exploring the aspect of maturation in the phenomenon of defensive coping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Coping Dynamics of Consulting Psychology Doctoral Students Transitioning a Professional Role Identity: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective

Barnard

Flotman

2020

IJERPH

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To remain relevant and valuable, the psychology profession in South Africa continues to transform and evolve in response to the changing needs of society. Some psychologists embark on development opportunities to advance their professional qualifications and skills. In doing so, they experience identity tensions inherent to professional identity development and transformation. Understanding how psychologists cope with professional identity transition will enable them to develop a self-efficacious service offering and broaden the reach of psychology in the South African context. The aim of this study was to explore the identity work of a group of eight consulting psychology doctoral students to develop a system psychodynamic understanding of their coping dynamics while transitioning to a professional role identity. Students’ self-reflective essays about becoming a consulting psychologist constituted the data protocols for the study and were analysed through hermeneutic phenomenological analysis. Findings describe how students cope with performance and survival anxieties through anti-task behaviour and immature as well as sophisticated psychodynamic defences. The study contributes to the exploration of the coping concept and its manifestation, by proposing defensive coping as a natural dynamic phenomenon in the process of adapting to a transforming professional identity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Coping Dynamics of Consulting Psychology Doctoral Students Transitioning a Professional Role Identity: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective

Barnard

Flotman

2020

IJERPH

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“…Regardless of the measure itself, statistically assessing defense mechanisms is intrinsically difficult. Studying defense mechanisms as they are manifested in internal experiences and behavior clouds the distinction between constructs (explanatory terms) and phenomena (empirical referents) (Mihalits and Codenotti, 2020).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Do Therapist Defense Mechanisms Have to Do With Their Experience of Professional Self-Doubt and Vicarious Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

et al. 2021

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This is the first study to examine psychotherapists' levels of defense mechanisms, their concurrent relationship with professional work-related stress (professional self-doubt and vicarious trauma), and how their levels of defense mechanisms predict the changes in these professional stresses over the course of 3 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from two online studies (Study 1; N = 105 and Study 2; N = 336), using two self-report measures of therapists' defense mechanisms (Defense Style Questionnaire-40 in Study 1 and Defense Mechanism Rating Scales Self-Report-30 in Study 2), are presented. Therapists reported higher levels of mature defense mechanisms, and lower levels of immature defense mechanisms, compared to published community and clinical populations assessed before and during the pandemic. Therapists' lower level of mature defense mechanisms and higher levels of neurotic and immature defense mechanisms were related to higher concurrent levels of vicarious trauma and professional doubt. Therapists who reported higher levels of mature defense mechanisms at 3-month follow-up showed less vicarious trauma and professional self-doubt at follow-up, after controlling for these professional stressors at baseline. Implications for clinical supervision and training are discussed. The context and professional challenges during the pandemic are unique and future replications of the results outside the pandemic context are warranted.

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“…Countries, including South Africa, are no different. However, we live in a world where a great deal of space is created for negativity -daily reports of moral ineptitude (Bergh & Geldenhuys, 2014;Flotman, May, & Cilliers, 2019) and ethical bankruptcy (Diamond, 2016), as well as depressing levels of inequality and poverty, leadership derailment and emotional toxicity (Mihalits & Codenotti, 2020;Petriglieri, 2020) have become a pervasive phenomenon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Servant leadership, team-based learning and hope and optimism: A sectoral comparative study

Grobler

Flotman

2021

SAJBM

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Purpose: This is an era of unprecedented turbulence. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) global pandemic testifies to this turmoil as, daily, the unknown dynamically unfolds. It is important during challenging times like these that leadership and organisational response enhance a shared positive vision for the future of humanity. This study aimed at determining the role played by servant leadership (SL) in promoting employee well-being, specifically, a positive future expectation in terms of hope and optimism (HO), as well as the impact that team-based learning (TBL) has on this relationship, and whether this is the same for both the private and public sectors.Design/methodology/approach: This study employed an empirical paradigm, using a cross-sectional design and quantitative analysis. The total sample consisted of 1560 participants, with 780 employed in the private and public sector, respectively.Findings/results: The results suggest that both SL and TBL have a significant impact on employees’ HO, with TBL being a mediating variable and with stronger relationships reported for the private sector. Technically, the TBL instrument employed was validated for South African use and the study included a statistical assessment of common method bias, which was found not to skew the results.Practical implications: This study provides further empirical evidence that SL is positively associated with HO. Secondly, the future-mindedness and future-orientation of HO could stimulate adaptive responses during this time of uncertainty and turmoil. Thus, HO, as potential resilience factors, could generate resilience by harnessing opportunities and setbacks both during the Covid-19 pandemic and in its aftermath.Originality/value: The practical value of this article is in the empirical evidence that both the leaders and the organisation have an impact on the employees’ wellness and positive work attitudes.

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The Conceptual Tragedy in Studying Defense Mechanisms

Cited by 13 publications

References 23 publications

Coping Dynamics of Consulting Psychology Doctoral Students Transitioning a Professional Role Identity: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective

Coping Dynamics of Consulting Psychology Doctoral Students Transitioning a Professional Role Identity: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective

What Do Therapist Defense Mechanisms Have to Do With Their Experience of Professional Self-Doubt and Vicarious Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Servant leadership, team-based learning and hope and optimism: A sectoral comparative study

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