Coping, defense, and fear in college students

In this study, a variety of coping styles and defense mechanisms were assessed in a population of normal subjects. It was investigated whether global defense/coping categories could be identified. When a factor analytic procedure was employed, three coping/defense categories emerged: Immature and Problem-Avoiding Coping and Defense, Emotion-Venting Coping and Defense, and Mature and Problem-Oriented Coping and Defense. Furthermore, it was found that Immature and Problem-Avoiding Coping and Defense was positively related to fear.