Defense mechanisms in Candidate patients for intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy

Objective: Ego defense mechanisms, defined by Freud as unconscious resources used by the ego to reduce conflict between the id and superego, are a reflection of how an individual deals with conflict and stress. This study assesses the prevalence of various ego defense mechanisms employed by Candidate patients for intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy. Methods: A questionnaire was conducted on 53 Candidate from tow Clinic in Tehran. Ego defense mechanisms were assessed using the Defense Style Questionnaire individually and as grouped under Mature, Immature, and Neurotic factors, the scale is purported to measure the conscious derivatives of 20 defense mechanisms. Results: main results showed that there is a significant different between Immature, Neurotic and mature defenses. Lower mean scores of immature defense mechanisms (5.26) were identified than those for Neurotic (7.51) and Mature (9.84) mechanisms among Candidate patients for intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy. Mature mechanisms were significantly higher in Candidate patients for intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy. Conclusions: Immature defense mechanisms were less commonly and mature mechanisms were significantly higher in Candidate patients for intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy. In this type of psychotherapy, patients should have ego grown. These results confirm that the right candidates are selected.