predicting defense mechanisms based on early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in students
attachment styles, early maladaptive constructs, and defense mechanisms are considered to be the main determinants of psychological problems, and discovering the relationships between these variables is of great importance in theoretical and clinical fields. the aim of the present study was to predict defense mechanisms based on early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles among students. the statistical population of the study included all undergraduate students of islamic azad university, karaj branch in the academic year 1401-1402, from which a sample of 221 people was selected using purposive random sampling.
research instruments included the andrews et al. (1993) defense styles questionnaire, young's (1998) early maladaptive schemas, and collins and reed's (1990) attachment style questionnaire. the research hypotheses were examined using multiple regression analysis in the simultaneous method. the results showed that the predictor variables were able to predict 32% of the variance of immature defense mechanisms, 31% of the variance of mature defense mechanisms, and 31% of the neurotic defense mechanism of students. also, the maladaptive schema of emotional deprivation (p<0.01) with a negative coefficient and the secure attachment style (p<0.01) with a positive coefficient entered the regression equation of the mature defense mechanism. the early maladaptive schemas of distrust, maltreatment (p<0.05) and punishment (p<0.01) as well as the ambivalent attachment style (p<0.01) entered the regression equation of the neurotic defense mechanism with positive coefficients.
these findings indicate that the absence of the maladaptive schema of emotional deprivation and the use of a secure attachment style can help predict the use of mature defense mechanisms in adulthood. in addition, a secure attachment style is known to be a protective factor against the emergence of maladaptive defense mechanisms and can improve mental health. on the other hand, the presence of early maladaptive schemas and ambivalent attachment styles increases the use of neurotic defense mechanisms, which can lead to chronic psychological problems. therefore, this study emphasizes that effective psychological interventions can play a significant role in improving defense mechanisms and mental health of individuals by modifying maladaptive schemas and promoting a secure attachment style. finally, the results of this study can be effective in designing psychological educational and therapeutic programs to reduce psychological problems.
keywords: defense mechanisms, early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles