Data showing that post-traumatic stress symptoms and defense mechanisms change based on perceived stress levels: A multivariate analysis of variance approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The present research article provides data about the differences in post-traumatic stress symptoms, and defense mechanisms based on the levels of perceived stress (low, average, high), using a large national sample of 1100 Italian individuals, collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed an online survey through the Google Form platform, where the Ten-Item Perceived Stress Scale, Impact of Event Scale - Revised, and Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire were included. First, the cut-offs of the perceived stress scale were calculated by determining the 25th and 75th percentile scores for the sample of this survey. Then, MANOVA analyses were performed, together with ANOVAs and the Bonferroni Post hoc analyses as a follow-up. The dataset (.xlsx) includes the survey scores, while the tables and figures provide the analysed data, where the differences are shown. This data article may provide useful bases for future research on perceived stress and for suggesting associated factors on which focus clinical intervention and preventive programs.

The Relationship among Anxiety, Worry, Perceived Stress, Defense Mechanisms, and High Levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: A Discriminant Analytic Approach.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pathological condition that may lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life over time. Therefore, the study of the elements that can characterize the disorder could be considered of great clinical interest and relevance. The aim of the present research was to empirically discriminate the influence of perceived stress, state anxiety, worry, and defense mechanisms (mature, neurotic, and immature) at different levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. A sample of 1250 participants (69.5% women, 30.5% men; Mage = 34.52, SD = 11.857) completed an online survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Ten-Item Perceived Stress Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form X3. Data were analysed by implementing MANOVA and discriminant analysis. Results showed significant differences in the levels of perceived stress, state anxiety, and worry, as well as neurotic and immature defenses based on the levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms: F(12,2484) = 85.682, p < 0.001; Wilk's Λ = 0.430. Furthermore, these variables discriminate significant accuracy between participants who reported a mild psychological impact and those with a probable presence of PTSD, with perceived stress, which was found to be the best predictor. Classification results indicated that the original grouped cases were classified with 86.3% overall accuracy. Such findings may provide useful insight for clinical practice.

Defense Mechanisms Reloaded in the Light of Impaired Personality Functioning: An Attempt of Clarification and Simplification Resulting in the DSQ-22-A for Adolescents.

With the upcoming ICD-11, the diagnostic guidelines for personality disorders will change fundamentally to a dimensional severity concept, including the evaluation of several domains of personality functioning. Moreover, the lifetime perspective will allow this diagnosis even in early adolescence, providing the opportunity for early detection and intervention. In psychodynamic understanding, defense mechanisms are considered to be a part of the "personality structure", which is one axis in the related diagnostic system (OPD) and showed great similarities to the concept of personality functioning. The most common inventory to assess defense mechanisms is the Defense Style Questionnaire, especially the DSQ-40, which has unfortunately not been specifically adapted to younger ages yet. Using an age-adapted version of the DSQ-40 with simplified formulations, a thorough empirical item analyses and selection was performed, including a face-validity check of the items by experienced therapists and assessments for item correlations, factor structure, reliability, construct and clinical validity in a german clinical and school sample containing 396 adolescents. Though several improvements, similar problems as reported for the adult DSQ versions concerning face-validity and coherence of the item pairs (2-item-method) to represent the single defense mechanisms were obtained. Thus, not all item pairs could be kept and a shortened version DSQ-22-A for adolescents with good psychometric properties was build. The three resulting defense categories adaptive, neurotic and maladaptive showed acceptable scale reliabilities (0.63, 0.56, 0.68), sound factor structure and convincing convergent and clinical validity in terms of highly significant correlations with impaired personality structure according to the OPD-CA2-SQ as well as with PHQ-D depression and somatic symptoms, especially for the maladaptive defense category (0.75, 0.44, 0.34). Likewise, the maladaptive defense category differed highly significant (p = 0.000) and with a large effect size of d = 0.9 standard deviations between adolescents from the school and the clinical sample. The DSQ-22-A can be recommended for use in adolescents for research, diagnostics and therapy planning, especially with regard to personality functioning and structure. Possible fundamental changes concerning some basic operationalization's of the defense mechanisms and the 2-item-method were suggested for international discussion.

Relationship between defense style and family environment among male prisoners of different terms of imprisonment / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the psychological defense styles and family environment among male prisoners of different terms of imprisonment， and to analyse the relationship between their psychological defense styles and family environment. MethodsA total of 200 male prisoners in a prison in Guangdong were randomly selected from April to June 2015， and they were classified into less than 5 years of imprisonment group （n=108） and 5 years or more imprisonment group （n=92）. Their defense style and family environment were evaluated by Defense Style Questionnaire （DSQ） and Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version （FES-CV）. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between each scale score. ResultsThe factor scores of immature defense mechanism and intermediate defense mechanism of DSQ in the group with less than 5 years of imprisonment were lower than those in the group with 5 years or more imprisonment， with statistically significant differences （t=4.198， 1.137， P<0.01）. The scores of FES-CV family intimacy， emotional expression and organizational factors in less than 5 years of imprisonment group were higher than those in 5 years or more imprisonment group （t=3.122， 2.993， 2.203， P<0.01）， and the scores of contradiction factors were lower than those in 5 years or more imprisonment group （t=-3.682， P<0.01）. The scores of DSQ immature， intermediate defense mechanism and concealment factor of male prisoners were negatively correlated with the scores of FES-CV family intimacy and emotional expression factor （r=-0.428~-0.172， P<0.05 or 0.01）， and the scores of 4 factors in DSQ were all positively correlated with the scores of contradiction factor in FES-CV （r=0.175~0.384， P<0.05 or 0.01）. ConclusionCompared with male prisoners with less than 5 years of imprisonment， those with 5 years or more are prone to adopt immature and intermediate defense mechanisms， and their family environments are characterized by apparent contradiction and a lack of family intimacy， emotional expression and organization. Furthermore， the defects of psychological defense mechanism of prisoners are related to their family environment.

Association of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Gene Polymorphisms With Defense Mechanisms in Healthy Chinese.

Aims: In the central nerve system, neurotensin (NT), and neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) modulate the dopamine system. Gene variations in the dopamine system have been demonstrated to influence certain defense mechanisms, but no studies have investigated possible effect of NTR1 gene polymorphisms in the biological determination of these defenses. The present study therefore examined this link. Methods: In 412 healthy Han Chinese, single nucleotide polymorphisms rs6090453C/G, rs6011914C/G, and rs2427422A/G of the NTR1 gene were genotyped, and the defense mechanisms were measured by the self-reporting Defense Style Questionnaire 88. Results: Significant male-specific differences in the projective identification among the rs6090453 genotypes (p = 0.003); in the intermediate defense, reaction formation, and projective identification among the rs6011914 genotypes (p = 0.011, 0.010, and 0.011, respectively); and in the projective identification among the rs2427422 genotypes (p = 0.005) were found when the level of significance was adjusted by the Bonferroni correction. There was no significant difference in any of the defense scores among genotypes of any single nucleotide polymorphism in the total cohort or female subjects (all p > 0.017). The distributions of genotypes between the low and high score subgroups showed significant differences in the rs2427422 genotype distributions for help-rejecting complaining, regression, and projective identification (p = 0.010, 0.022, and 0.044, respectively). Significant differences were found between males and females in 10 defense mechanisms (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The gene variations in the NTR1 polymorphisms were involved in the biological mechanisms of intermediate defense mechanisms, and this effect was influenced by sex.

The Investigation of the Mediator Effect of Sexism and Defense Style in the Relationship Between Homophobia and Aggression.

INTRODUCTION: Homophobia is seen all over the world and it may lead to aggressive behavior towards individuals with different sexual orientations. In this study, it is aimed to examine the mediator effect of sexism and defense style in the relationship between homophobia and aggression. METHODS: 281 students from Tekirdag Namik Kemal and Istanbul Aydin University are included in the study. The participants filled out the Demographic Information Form, Hudson-Ricketts Homophobia Scale, Defense Style Questionnaire, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and Aggression Questionnaire. RESULTS: It was found that as homophobia level increased, sexism, neurotic and immature defense style increased. In addition, the relationship between homophobia and aggression was mediated by neurotic defenses and hostile sexism. Moreover, it was found that immature defense styles have a significant positive relationship with aggression. DISCUSSION: The findings of the study suggest that homophobia is related to aggression and this relationship coincides with other findings in the literature. However, it is seen that there are findings that coincide with the literature on the mediator effect of sexism and defense styles in the relationship between homophobia and aggression.

Factors related to the adverse events of antiepileptic drugs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the factors related to the severity of the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), experienced by patients with epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case study was conducted in adult patients with epilepsy and followed up at the Epilepsy Outpatients of the University Hospital of Ioannina in Northwest Greece. The Adverse Event Profile (AEP) questionnaire for AEDs adverse effects assessment, the Defense style questionnaire (DSQ-88) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression' severity evaluation were used to estimate the severity of adverse effects, the defense style, and the depressive symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients with epilepsy (M/F:28/35), with a mean age of 37.6 ±â€¯13.41, were recruited in the study. The univariate analysis showed that both the Maladaptive style of defense and the PHQ-9 score were significantly associated with the AEP score. After multivariate regression analysis female gender, the load of AEDs, the PHQ-9 score, and the Adaptive defense style remained significant coefficients. CONCLUSION: There are also nonpharmacological factors that may contribute to the severity of the adverse effects of AEDs, experienced by the patients with epilepsy.

Psychological Development during Medical School Clerkship: Relationship to Resilience.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated changes in medical students' defenses during clerkship and examined the effects of these changes on students' resilience. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014, all year-2 preclinical students (N = 249) at Gyeongsang National University Medical School were asked to participate. Those who agreed to participate (N = 237) completed the Korean version of the Defense Style Questionnaire (K-DSQ) and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale-10 (CD-RISC-10). After clerkship, students who proceeded to year 4 in 2 years (n = 187 (93 females), aged 24-38 years (mean, 28.9 ± 2.8 years)) completed the K-DSQ, CD-RISC-10, and the Korean version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (K-HADS) in September 2014, 2015, and 2016. RESULTS: The use of adaptive (W = 11,603.5, p < 0.001, r = 0.39) and self-inhibiting (W = 10,901.5, p < 0.001, r = 0.32) styles increased significantly after clerkship. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that changes in adaptive defense styles (B = 1.336, SE = 0.386, ß = 0.218, p = 0.001) during clerkship were significantly related to resilience after adjusting for age, sex, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Both positive personality development and maladaptive changes in defenses were evident. An increase in the adaptive defense style score was related to resilience.

Retrospective Analyses of Psychological Distress and Defense Style Among Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is common in cancer patients during the diagnostic phase. Research demonstrated that anxiety, depression and defense mechanisms may influence physical and psychological well-being in patients with malignant tumors. The present retrospective study investigated the associations between clinical and psychological characteristics of cancer patients waiting for the diagnosis, focusing on metastatic cancer (MC) and breast cancer (BC). METHOD: Patients with a new diagnosis of cancer referring to a Clinical Oncology Unit in Central Italy were interviewed during the 2017 for psychological assessment. Double-blind information about anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, defense style, and cancer diagnosis were available for the 567 patients included in this study. T-test, chi-squared and regression analyses were performed to detect associations between psychological variables and the presence of metastasis (MC) in the whole sample and in the subgroup of breast cancer (BC) patients. RESULTS: Female gender and younger age were associated with anxiety, depression, and maladaptive defense style. A significant positive relationship was found between presence of metastasis and symptoms of anxiety. Depression resulted significantly more frequent in BC, while there was a trend close to statistical significance in MC. Immature defense style was widely used by BC women, with a score close to statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study provided empirical evidence of the relationship between psychological functioning and clinical characteristics of cancer. In line with previous research, our findings confirmed the peculiar psychological functioning of BC patients. Further investigations are needed to understand how the diagnosis of cancer may influence the individual psychological functioning and vice versa.

Differences in Personality, Defense Styles, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder According to Age Groups Across the Lifespan.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the differences in personality, defense style, and coping styles among patients with depression according to age groups. METHODS: A total of 211 participants ranging from 19 to 81 years old were recruited for the study. To assess participants' five dimensions of personality, the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) was administered. In addition, the Korean-Defense Style Questionnaire and the Korean version of the coping checklist were administered to examine the defense and coping style. RESULTS: In the analysis of NEO-PI-R, the mean value of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism showed significant differences between the young adult age group (20-34 years) and the late middle age group (50-64 years) (p<0.05). The young age group used more immature defense styles and made less use of problem-focused coping strategy than the old age patients (65 years and older) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the young age group associations with lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, as well as higher Neuroticism than the late middle age group were observed. Moreover, the young age group had a higher usage of immature defense style, and restricted use of problem-focused coping style than other age groups.

Mindfulness dispositions and defense style as positive responses to psychological distress in oncology professionals.

PURPOSE: Working in oncology departments is a stressful and emotionally consuming experience and oncology professionals are particularly at risk for developing stress-related syndromes. Defense mechanisms (high-adaptive) and mindfulness dispositions are known as facilitators of well-being and adaptation. In this study we analysed the role of these unconscious and conscious strategies in protecting the oncology clinicians from stress-related symptoms. METHOD: A convenience sample of 63 oncology professionals was assessed on defense style, mindfulness disposition, depression and anxiety symptoms using self-reported questionnaires. Demographic and professional information was included in data collection. RESULTS: Results did not show significance differences in demographic and professional characteristics among all studied variables. Mature defense style and mindfulness were highly and negatively correlated with depression and anxiety, while a positive association was found between immature defense style and both depression and anxiety symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found defense styles and mindfulness as predictors of depression, whereas only immature defense style predicted anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides the first empirical evidence of the influence of unconscious defense mechanisms and conscious mindfulness dispositions in protecting oncology professionals from depression and anxiety symptoms. Defense mechanisms and mindfulness share several common-points and should be seen as complementary in enhancing physical and psychological well-being. Further studies are required for a deeper understanding of the impact of mindfulness and defenses in improving adaptation.

Differences in Personality, Defense Styles, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder According to Age Groups Across the Lifespan

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the differences in personality, defense style, and coping styles among patients with depression according to age groups.METHODS: A total of 211 participants ranging from 19 to 81 years old were recruited for the study. To assess participants’ five dimensions of personality, the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) was administered. In addition, the Korean-Defense Style Questionnaire and the Korean version of the coping checklist were administered to examine the defense and coping style.RESULTS: In the analysis of NEO-PI-R, the mean value of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism showed significant differences between the young adult age group (20–34 years) and the late middle age group (50–64 years) (p<0.05). The young age group used more immature defense styles and made less use of problem-focused coping strategy than the old age patients (65 years and older) (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: In the young age group associations with lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, as well as higher Neuroticism than the late middle age group were observed. Moreover, the young age group had a higher usage of immature defense style, and restricted use of problem-focused coping style than other age groups.

Exploring clusters of defense styles, psychiatric symptoms and academic achievements among medical students: a cross-sectional study in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The clusters of participants with a homogeneous psychological make-up can be identified using sophisticated machine learning techniques such as the two-step clustering algorithm. It can also help us to identify the synergistic and additive effects of a range of psychometric variables. The identification of synergistic effect of this clustering of defense mechanism has significant practical implications as they share a certain variance. This study aims to identify the clusters of ego defenses and their relationship with academic performance and mental health outcome in medical students. RESULTS: The high achievers scored higher on mature and neurotic defense styles and lower on immature than their counter parts. A higher proportion of medical students in high achievers group had normal scores on depressive symptoms than low achievers. While a majority among low achievers suffered from severe anxiety levels than high achievers group. High achievers scored higher on sublimation, humor, anticipation, suppression, pseudo-altruism, idealization, reaction formation, autistic fantasy, denial, and rationalization.

High Beck Depression Inventory 21 scores in adolescents without depression are associated with negative self-image and immature defense style.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is widely used in assessing adolescents' psychological wellbeing, but occasionally the result diverges from diagnostics. Our aim was to identify factors associated with discrepancies between BDI scores and diagnostic assessment in adolescent psychiatric patients and general population. The study comprised 206 inpatients (13-17 years old) and 203 age and gender matched non-referred adolescents. Study subjects filled self-reports on depression symptoms (BDI-21), alcohol use (AUDIT), defense styles (DSQ-40) and self-image (OSIQ-R), and on background information and adverse life events. Diagnostics was based on K-SADS-PL interview, and/or clinical interview and clinical records when available. We compared subjects who scored in BDI-21 either 0-15 points or 16-63 points firstly among subjects without current unipolar depression (n = 284), secondly among those with unipolar depression (n = 105). High BDI-21 scores in subjects without depression diagnosis (n = 48) were associated with female sex, adverse life events, parents' psychiatric problems, higher comorbidity, higher AUDIT scores, worse self-image and more immature defense styles. Low BDI-21 scores among subjects with depression diagnosis (n = 23) were associated with male sex, more positive self-image and less immature defense style. In conclusion, high BDI-21 scores in the absence of depression may reflect a broad range of challenges in an adolescent's psychological development.

Can the Factor Structure of Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) Contribute to Our Understanding of Parental Acceptance/Rejection, Bullying, Victimization and Perceived Well-Being in Greek Early Adolescents?

Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) is a self-report instrument designed to measure defense mechanisms. Although commonly used, the DSQ-40 has not been validated in early adolescent populations. The present study sought to determine the factor validity of the DSQ-40 in a sample of Greek primary school students (N = 265). Further, it aimed to investigate the relationship between defense mechanisms and perceived parental acceptance/rejection, the participation in bullying (either as bully or victim) as well as self-reported well being. Participants completed the Greek version of DSQ-40, adapted for use by this particular age group as well as measures in order to examine its convergent and discriminant validity. The findings support a four-factor solution as the most adequate for our data. Further, it was found that defense mechanisms are related to perceived parental acceptance and rejection. Finally, the results showed that the DSQ-40 can effectively discriminate participants with high/low bullying/victimization and perceived well-being. Our results indicate that the DSQ-40 is appropriate for use in late childhood. Implications for clinical practice and future studies that would confirm the appropriateness of the scale's use in younger populations are also discussed.

[Study of defense styles, defenses and coping strategies in alcohol-dependent population]. / Étude des styles défensifs, des défenses et des stratégies de coping au sein d'une population alcoolodépendante.

INTRODUCTION: Defense mechanisms have been seen to greatly change over time and across different definitions made by different theoretical currents. Recently with the definition provided by the DSM IV, defense mechanisms have integrated the concept of coping as a defensive factor. These mechanisms are no longer considered just through a psychodynamic approach but also through a cognitive and behavioral one. In recent years, new theories have therefore integrated these two components of the defensive operation. According to Chabrol and Callahan (2013), defense mechanisms precede coping strategies. In individuals with psychopathological disorders, these authors indicate a relative stability of these mechanisms. Also, we asked about the presence of unique characteristics among people with alcohol dependence. Indeed, studies conducted with people with alcohol dependence highlight the presence of a neurotic defense style and some highly immature defenses (projection, acting out, splitting and somatization). In terms of coping strategies, persons with alcohol dependence preferentially use avoidant strategies and strategies focused on emotion. However, although several studies have been conducted to assess coping strategies and defense styles within a population of individuals with an alcohol problem, at the present time none of them has taken into account all these aspects of defense mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is therefore to study the defenses and defense styles and coping strategies in an alcohol-dependent population. METHOD: This multicenter study (3 CHU, 1 center of supportive care and prevention in addiction and 1 clinic) received a favorable opinion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB Registration #: 00001072). Eighty alcohol-dependent individuals responded to a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics and elements related to the course of consumption. Coping strategies were assessed by means of a questionnaire validated in French: the Brief Cope. The Defense Style Questionnaire-40 translated into French, but not validated, assessed defenses and defense style. Descriptive, comparative and correlational analysis was carried out using Statistica software - version 10. RESULTS: The alcohol-dependent people preferentially use emotion focused coping blame and less the problem focused coping humor. The highest immature defense is acting out. Correlational analyses confirm the presence of some significant relationships between defense style and some coping strategies. Thus, the mature style is the only defense style, which is linked with the problem focused strategy humor, and another one coping called distraction. Some singular relationships were found with these two dimensions of coping. Alcohol and drug disengagement show particularly strong relationships with immature defenses such as projection and somatization. Another singular result is indicated by a negative relationship between immature defenses autistic fantasy with the strategy expression of feelings. CONCLUSION: This study found a significant number of relationships between defensive styles, defenses and coping strategies. This research also highlights the value of an integrative approach of defense mechanisms for the analysis of defensive functioning of people with alcohol dependence. Indeed, the relationships between these elements are consistent and allow understanding the defensive operation as a whole to promote a new adapted means of support.

Exploring the interrelationship between alexithymia, defense style, emotional suppression, homicide-related posttraumatic stress disorder and psychiatric co-morbidity.

This study investigated the interrelationship between alexithymia, defense style, emotional suppression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following homicide and psychiatric co-morbidity. One hundred and fifty male homicide perpetrators and 156 male perpetrators of non-violent crime completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (except for non-violent perpetrators), the General Health Questionnaire-28, the Defense Styles Questionnaire, the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The results showed that 44% of homicide perpetrators met the criteria for PTSD. No significant differences were found between groups in alexithymia, defense style and psychiatric co-morbidity. Homicide perpetrators suppressed depression significantly more than the non-violent group. PLS analyses showed that alexithymia was significantly correlated with defense style. Defense styles were significantly correlated with emotional suppression which, in turn, was associated with homicide-related PTSD and psychiatric co-morbidity. To conclude, perpetrators can experience PTSD reactions following the act of homicide. The severity of these reactions and other psychological problems were related to difficulty getting in touch with distressing emotions, the defenses they used to protect themselves psychologically and the way they suppressed their emotion.

Investigating Aggressive Styles and Defense Mechanisms in Bipolar Patients and in their Parents.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a very common mental health disorder, whose etiology concerning aggressive styles and defense mechanisms is still poorly known despite the efforts dedicated to develop psychological and biological theories. After obtaining written signed informed consent, this study will recruit inpatients with a clinical diagnosis of BD, based on Structured Clinical Interview and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria, and their parents. The Bus-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Defense Style Questionnaire 40, the Symptom check list SCL-90-R, developed by DeRogatis will be administered to the participants, together with a semi-structured questionnaire concerning demographic data (age, gender, employment, education) and only for the patients clinical information (onset year of the disorder, presence of co-morbidities, alcohol and drug use, suicide tendencies, kind of treatment). All the questionnaires are in the Italian validated version. The successful completion of this study will shed light on the relationship between aggressive styles and defensive mechanisms in bipolar inpatients and in their parents, helping the clinicians to develop ad hoc psychological interventions.

Influence of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on the Defense Style of Patients with Depression / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To explore the effect of cognitive behavior intervention on the defense style of patients with depression. Methods One hundred and forty-six patients with depression in hospitalized were divided into study group and control group according to the set sequence. The study group and the control group were given cognitive behavioral intervention and routine nursing, respectively. All patients were assessed by Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) . Results The differences of conceal type and positive coping factor were significantly before and after intervention in the study group ( < 0.05) . In the 6th week, the differences of conceal type and positive coping factor were significantly between the two groups ( < 0.05) . The differences of HAMD and HAMA scores were significantly between the 0 th and 6 th weeks of the two groups ( <0.05) . There was negatively correlated between HAMD and positive coping factor ( <0.05) . There were positively correlated between HAMD and the cover up defense mode ( <0.05),HAMA and the cover up defense mode ( <0.05) . Conclusion The cognitive behavior intervention could improve the depression and anxiety symptoms and defense style in patients with depression.

Exploring relationships over time between psychological distress, perceived stress, life events and immature defense style on disordered eating pathology.

BACKGROUND: Perceived stress, immature defense style, depression and anxiety and negative life events all are known to be associated with eating disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between these factors and their relative strength of association with eating disorder symptoms over time. METHODS: This research was embedded in a longitudinal study of adult women with varying levels of eating disorder symptoms and who were initially recruited from tertiary educational institutions in two Australian states. Four years from initial recruitment, 371 participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination- Questionnaire (EDE-Q) for eating disorder symptoms. Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) as a measure of depression and anxiety, a Life Events Checklist as a measure of previous exposure to potentially traumatic events, the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to determine perceived stress. One year later, in year 5, 295 (878.7%) completed follow-up assessments including the EDE-Q. The questionnaires were completed online or returned via reply paid post. RESULTS: All four independent factors were found to correlate significantly with the global EDE-Q score in cross-sectional analyses (all Spearman rho (rs) >0.18, p < 0.01) and at one year follow-up (all rs > 0.15, all p < 0.05). In multivariate linear regression modeling adjusted for age and year 4 global EDE-Q scores, perceived stress and psychological distress scores were significantly associated with year 5 global EDE-Q scores (p = 0.046 and <0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress, and to a lesser degree perceived stress had the strongest association with eating disorder symptoms over time The findings support further investigation of interventions to reduce distress and perceived stress in adult females with disordered eating.