The Relationship between Defense Patterns and DSM-5 Maladaptive Personality Domains

Abstract

Aim: Research has extensively examined the relationship between defense mechanisms (DM) and personality traits. However, no study to date has explored if specific defenses (alone or in combination) are able to predict dysfunctional variants of personality domains, as conceived in the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DMs and DSM-5 maladaptive personality domains among adults.Materials and Methods: Three hundred and twenty-eight adults aged between 18 and 64 years old completed measures on DMs and maladapive personality domains. Regression analyses were performed to determine which DMs predicted the maladaptive personality domains of negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, disinhibition, and psychoticism.Results: According to psychoanalytic literature, results showed that immature defenses positively predicted maladaptive personality domain scores, whereas mature defenses were generally related with better personality functioning. Moreover, different defense patterns emerged as significant predictors of the maladaptive personality domains comprised in the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorder.Discussion: Our findings support the view that defense patterns represent core components of personality and its disorders, and suggest that an increased use of immature defenses and a reduced use of mature defenses have a negative impact on the development of personality.

Trauma-Related Dissociation Is Linked With Maladaptive Personality Functioning

“…The present study explored the relationships among psychological trauma, dissociation, and maladaptive personality domains. Consistent with previous studies on other nonclinical samples from the same country, our sample reported only low to moderate levels of psychological trauma ( 36 ), maladaptive personality traits ( 43 , 44 ), and dissociative symptoms ( 3 ). Also consistent with the literature, males reported higher antagonistic features than females, and females reported higher negative affectivity than males ( 44 ).…”

“…Consistent with previous studies on other nonclinical samples from the same country, our sample reported only low to moderate levels of psychological trauma ( 36 ), maladaptive personality traits ( 43 , 44 ), and dissociative symptoms ( 3 ). Also consistent with the literature, males reported higher antagonistic features than females, and females reported higher negative affectivity than males ( 44 ). The main aim of our study was to test a conceptual model in which the predictive association between trauma and maladaptive personality functioning would be mediated by dissociation.…”

A Brief but Comprehensive Review of Research on the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders

“…Finally, maladaptive traits have been found to be associated with a range of other variables, including age [75]; gender [75,217]; general symptom distress [66,77,84,172,[218][219][220]; psychotic disorder [221,222]; dissociative experiences [223]; bipolar disorder [224]; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [225]; problematic alcohol use [66, 226•]; substance use [140,227,228]; self-harm [229]; pathological gambling [230]; internet-gaming disorder [231]; problematic internet use [223]; posttraumatic stress disorder [232, 233•]; physical illness [233•]; disability [57, [234][235][236]; quality of life [149,236]; self-esteem [150]; alexithymia [150]; empathy, self-reflection, and insight [150]; maladaptive schemas [237]; interpersonal problems [150,238,239]; pathological beliefs [240]; defensive styles [241]; emotion dysregulation [150,242]; anxiety mindset [205]; impulsivity [227]; aggression…”

The Importance of Psychodynamic Approach During Covid-19 Pandemic

“…The use of defense mechanisms during a global health crisis should be monitored because psychological health is closely related to the ability to appropriately use a variety of defenses in challenging contexts, and a predominant use of immature defenses is a risk factor for the development of different forms of adult psychopathology (Bond & Perry 2004, Zanarini et al 2009). Children and young adults should also be assessed from a psychodynamic perceptive given that an increased use of immature defenses and a reduced use of mature defenses have a negative impact on the development of personality (Granieri et al 2017). Indeed, seminal concepts such as the "rigidity" of personality or the "character armor" (Reich 1933(Reich /1979) clearly express the idea that mental health is strictly related to emotional flexibility.…”