Nepenthe Theory of Defense Mechanism Functioning and Defensive Behavior in African-U.S. People With Replication and Extension to Psychological Africanity (Racial Identity)

Abstract

Ego mechanisms of defense were studied in a sample of 140 African-U.S. college students using for theoretical approaches Michael Bond’s defense style hierarchy and Daudi Ajani ya Azibo’s nepenthe theory. Each framework was supported in the data. Also, previous findings from an earlier exploratory study were replicated including greater defense style scoring compared to Caucasian norms and association between defense style scores and depression. In addition, this study incorporated measures of normal and abnormal psychological Africanity (racial identity). Defense style scores predicted indices of psychopathologic psychological Africanity (African-U.S. culture‒focused mental disorders). Own-race negation and abjuration indices predicted defense style scores. ANOVAs found highest defense style scores for participants classified as having correct psychological Africanity orientation (highest psychological Africanity/racial identity scores) compared to diffused and incorrect lower classifications. It was concluded that the study of defensive behavior among African-U.S. persons might be tempered by nepenthe theory.

Keywords:

• Nepenthe theory
• defense style
• defense mechanisms
• psychological Africanity (racial identity)