Cross-generatinal differences in the utilization of defense mechanisms

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate crossgenerational differences in the utilization of defense mechanisms. It was hypothesized that young males would show higher· degrees of "Turning Against Object", "Proje tion", and "Turning Against Self" defenses than adult males on the defense mechanisms Inventory scale. It was also hypothesi2Bd that adult males would show higher degrees of "Principalization and Intellectualization" and "Reversal" defenses than young males on the Defense Mechanisms Inventory scale. The defense mechanisms were measured by the Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI) Hhich Has given to 55 Bogazici University male students and their fathers from various socio-economical and educational backgrounds. The general results suggest that the utilization of defense mechanisms is a function of age and there are crossgenerational differences, as hypothesized, in the usage ·of ego defenses. The "Turning Against Object" scores of young males are significantly higher than that of adult males, the "Reversal" scores of adult males are significantly higher than that of adult males on the DMI scale. Dividing the sample according to income levels and fathers' education levels does not make any discrimination in either case. The "Projection" and "Turning Against Self" scores of young males are significantly higher than that of adult males ~and this relationship is found to be more significant for Upper-Middle income level groups in both cases. This relationship is also found to be more significant for the "Turning Against Self" scores of all young males and high education level adult males. The "Principalization and Intellectualization" scores of adult males, similarly, are significantly higher than that of young males, and this relationship is found to be more significant for Upper-Middle income level groups while the education level of adult males does not make any difference.These results suggest that there is a developmental hierarchy for the maturation of defenses due to age and due to changes in social norms and attitudes, young males utilize defenses more loaded with aggression and simplicity, while adult males' defenses are in a sense more mature, and therefore more complex.