Besharat M A, Khadem H, Zarei V, Motavalli Haghi S A. Predicting Anxiety Symptoms Based on Confrontation With Existential Issues: The Moderating Role of Defense Mechanisms. PCP 2019; 7 (4) :235-244
URL:
http://jpcp.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-674-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. , ho_khadem@sbu.ac.ir
3- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.
4- Department of psychology, University Degli Studi Di Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract: (3781 Views)
Objective: One of the most common and recent highlighted psychological problems is anxiety symptoms. This study investigated the moderating role of defense mechanisms in the relationship between confrontation with existential issues (death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness) and anxiety.
Methods: A total of 389 students (218 men and 171 women) of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in the academic year 2017-2018 were randomly selected as the research sample. In this study, anxiety symptoms, death anxiety, loneliness, meaning in life, responsibility, and defense style were measured. The obtained data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test and stepwise and hierarchical regression analysis.
Results: Mature and immature defense mechanisms moderated the prediction of anxiety symptoms by confrontation with loneliness and responsibility. Neurotic defense mechanisms moderated the prediction of anxiety symptoms by confrontation with death, anxiety, loneliness, and responsibility.
Conclusion: Defense mechanisms affect the amount of relationship between confrontation with existential issues and anxiety.
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● Isolation, death anxiety, lack of freedom and meaninglessness can predict anxiety symptoms.
● Prediction of anxiety symptoms based on confrontation with isolation and responsibility can be moderated by mature and immature defense mechanisms.
● Prediction of anxiety symptoms based on confrontation with death anxiety, isolation, and responsibility can be moderated by neurotic defense mechanism.
Plain Language Summary
Existential concerns (death, freedom, meaninglessness, and isolation ) are common in all humans. This confrontation naturally produces anxiety. If the anxiety is higher than normal, a variety of mental disorders may develop. Hence, it is important to examine how we confront with existential concerns. Different defense mechanisms reflect how we confront with existential concerns. Defense mechanisms are strategies that we use against problems. Some of them including mature defense mechanism (e.g. humor and optimism) can lead to our health, while other mechanisms like immature and neurotic defense mechanisms (e.g. denial of problems) can lead to various psychological problems. In this study, we found that mature defense mechanisms can reduce the level of anxiety created by isolation and responsibility. In contrast, other defense mechanisms may lead to higher anxiety. There, we can protect ourselves from the burden of responsibility and isolation by using mature defense mechanism. In other words, we can reduce the burden of responsibility, isolation and death anxiety by reducing the use of other defense mechanisms.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Analytical approach Received: 2019/04/10 | Accepted: 2019/08/23 | Published: 2019/10/1