Resource Tag: DEFENSE MECHANISMS (PSYCHOLOGY)

This paper describes the impact on children of their growing awareness of death. The ongoing influence of this realization on the development of personality & defenses is explained. It is stated that in some cases, individuals feel a sense of mastery over death by taking fate into their own hands in a suicide attempt. Therefore, […]

This presentation focuses on the underlying psychodynamics of the suicidal individual & the suicide survivor, & discusses denial surrounding suicide as the most significant issue. The case presented shows feelings of futility & hopelessness reverberating unconsciously through 3 generations & surfacing 40 years later in a dream reported by a woman in psychoanalytic treatment. She […]

A group of adolescents were presented with the hypothetical situation of a friend with AIDS. Through school based research projects it was found that these adolescents tended to have a variety of coping strategies. They tried many until they found one suitable for them. Girls were found to be more worried about the suicide aspect […]

69 inpatients who had attempted suicide were studied by means of the Meta-Contrast Technique, a projective test measuring personality factors, especially defensive strategies. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups, 1 of which was defined as stereotypy only. At follow-up, 7 of 8 completed suicides belonged to this subgroup. Findings indicate that, regardless of psychiatric diagnosis, […]

This study examined the psychological & social impact of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) on 80 grandmothers & grandfathers. For most grandparents, SIDS was a devastating experience. Feelings of disbelief, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety, concern for the surviving parents & siblings, exhaustion & bitterness were commonly expressed. 4% of the grandparents in this study contemplated […]

The relation between ego defense mechanisms, diagnoses, & suicidality was investigated among 200 adolescent psychiatric patients who were divided into 3 groups: suicide attempters, suicidal ideators & nonsuicidal patients. Using the Defense Mechanisms Inventory, suicidal adolescents scored high on the defense of turning-against-self & lower on reversal. Turning-against-self remained significantly associated with suicide attempts even […]

Summarizes the main psychological & sociological theories regarding suicide. Includes psychoanalytic theory, psychosocialism, humanism, cognitive psychology, Durkheim’s sociological theory, as well as recent discoveries of biological correlates with suicidal behavior. The authors conclude biological, as well as psychological & social factors, must all be considered to fully understand suicide. (32 refs.) (VM)

This paper reviews the signs which have been observed in neglected, & physically & sexually abused children. The problems most often associated with physical abuse are aggressive behavior, social maladjustment, low self-esteem, & developmental delays. Neglected children are often significantly delayed in mental, motor, language, & social development. Depression, attempted or completed suicide, & promiscuous […]

Reports on an empirical study of defense mechanisms in 60 psychiatric inpatients. Eight defenses were studied in the context of a 2-stage model of suicidal & violent behavior. Results showed that use of regression as a defense differentiated suicidal from nonsuicidal patients, & use of displacement differentiated violent from nonviolent patients. Repression tended to turn […]

Discusses the “voice”, an internal system of hostile thoughts & attitudes that can be expressed in life-threatening suicidal acting-out behavior. The voice, described as a core defence having a negative effect on self-esteem & depressive behavior, is analyzed as to dynamics & probable sources. The relationship between this destructive thought process & actual suicidal behavior […]

This article discusses behaviours, communications, & life-styles which are threatening to physical or emotional well-being, although not commonly seen as suicidal (for example, self-denial, withdrawing, & destructive dependency bonds). The authors assert that these behaviours & thought processes are a defense against separation anxiety & death anxiety. The authors believe that suicide is not a […]

The focus of this chapter is on the use of family therapy and professional networking in the therapeutic treatment of suicidal adolescents. There are three major sections presented in this chapter: (1) the variety of self-destructive behaviors demonstrated by adolescents, (2) family therapy as a treatment modality with suicial adolescents and (3) consultation and networking […]

The author presents several case histories to illustrate vulnerability to suicide primarily from a developmental, psychoanalytical perspective. Maltsberger examines the reasons why self-regulatory structures fail to develop in some individuals. In the absence of these defences, the individual turns to sustaining resources–other people, pets, religion, reliance on work–& if these resources are lost, a suicidal […]

The authors present the many reasons why supportive psychotherapy should be made available to renal transplant patients. Areas causing anxiety to transplant patients are stated as: conflict regarding the expense of such treatment; guilt toward the donor; disturbed body image; fear of organ rejection; change in social relationships; & the prospect of leading a normal […]

The author claims that projective identification can be best understood as a compromise involving identification with an aggressor & the reversal of previous passive actions. He illustrates his theory in the case history of a young female who could no longer cope with repressed feelings of aggression & became obsessed with suicidal thoughts. 11 Ref. […]

The use of the Draw a Person Test in assessing suicide potential is discussed. (NBB)

Using projection & projective identification as linking concepts, the author attempts to show how Durkheim’s ideas can enrich our clinical understanding of completed suicide. Three chronically self-destructive patients who eventually compelte suicide are used to illustrate three of Durkheim’s four categories. (16 refs.) (LH)

The life studies of children presented by the author are linked by one condition: all have “secrets” that they cannot share with anyone outside–& sometimes inside–the family. Part V, subtitled “The Myth of Normalcy,” demonstrates the adverse effect that insistence on denial or secrecy has on affected children. In one life study, a father’s suicide […]

The authors summarize results of group psychotherapy for suicide attempters, based on 45 sessions with a total of 42 participants. 9 different roles assumed by group members are described. One suicide occurred during the time period of the group sessions; 6 attempted suicide again; 3 of these rejoined the group; 26 of the 42 participants […]

This is a chapter from the author’s book, DEATH AND FAMILY. She shares her personal reflections on grief & separation anxiety, relating her experiences to the theoretical formulations about loss of psychoanalyst Melanie Klein.

The author states that suicide stems from 2 factors: the self-destructive wish, & the impairment of self-control. The case history of a 42 year-old depressed female is used for illustration. Although she felt suicide was wrong, she was able to rationalize her suicide attempt. The control of self-destructive impulses may be impaired by denial, prolonged […]

The author presents 3 case histories of patients with self-destructive tendencies. In each case, psychoanalysis focussing on early mother-child relationships elicited ideas & fantasies centering around self-destruction. Unconscious factors, Fugue states, & regression are discussed in this context. 21 ref. (NBB)

This is the case history of an adult male construction worker who, facing criminal charges for assault, committed suicide. The article is written by his wife who, in retrospect, realized he had suffered a loss of esteem & had grieved this loss through the anticipated stages, eventually committing suicide when he could not resolve his […]