Psychological defense mechanisms among individuals with SCI with adjustment disorder

Abstract

Objectives: The used psychological defense styles among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) with adjustment disorders (AJD) have not yet been described. In the present investigation, the prevalence of AJD among people with SCI has been estimated and the pattern of used defense styles has been identified.

Design: Cross-sectional investigation.

Setting: A tertiary rehabilitation center in Iran.

Participants: Individuals referred to Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center were invited to participate in a screening interview. AJD was diagnosed based on DSM-V criteria. Those with AJD diagnosis were scheduled for another interview to assess defense mechanisms.

Outcome measures: Demographic and injury-related variables were recorded. Defense mechanisms were assessed by the 40-item version of the Defense-Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40).

Results: Among 114 participants, 32 (28%) were diagnosed with AJD among whom 23 subjects attended the second interview. Mean age and time since injury were 29.57 ± 9.29 years and 11.70 ± 6.34 months, respectively. The majority of patients were using idealization defense mechanism (91.3%). In the second and third place, passive aggression (87.0%) and somatization (82.6%) defense mechanisms were observed, respectively. Neurotic style was dominantly used (11.52 ± 2.26). Sex, marital status, educational level, cause of the injury and injury level were not related to defense style (P: 0.38, 0.69, 0.88, 0.73, and P: 0.32, respectively).

Conclusion: Prevalence of AJD is estimated to be 28% among individuals with SCI. The most prevalent defense style was neurotic and the dominant used defense mechanism was “idealization.” The role of demographic and injury-related variables in determining the used defense mechanisms was insignificant.

Keywords:

• Adjustment disorders
• Defense mechanisms
• Spinal cord injury

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Maryam Nejati Ghavam, Fariba Naemirad and Jayran Zebardast for their contribution in the process of data collection.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Conflict of interest None declared.

Ethics approval None

Additional information

Funding

This research has been supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services grant no. 23397. No external sponsor exists.