The relationship between using pattern of defense mechanisms and prevalance of impulsivity aspects in students

Abstract

Background: the research background indicates that people in exposing to stress, use determined defense styles according to the rat of ego development. Along with ego development It is expected that the impulsivity as a personality trait will be reduced and the usage of mature defenses will be increased. The relation between impulsivity and fundamental structures like defense styles consider this issue that whether using of defense styles differs regarding to domination of impulsivity axis?. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pattern of using defense styles and Prevalence of impulsivity axis. Method: the method of this study was correlation. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and Stebwise regression. The study population consisted of all undergraduate students of Tehran, Allameh Tabataba'i and elm-o-Farhang Universities. A sample of 201 students was selected by a convenient sampling method. The applied research tools for this study were Defense Styles (Andrews, 1993), and Impulsivity (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001) Questionnaires. Results: Data analysis revealed that impulsivity has a significant direct correlation with Neurotic and immature defense styles )p0/01(. Conclusions: This study introduced impulsivity as a personality variable which explains some of the immature behaviors and defenses. Moreover, it is noted impulsivity characteristic could directly influence the individual’s quality of actions and decisions.

Keywords

• defense styles
• impulsivity
• ego development