Gorsuch, Renee (2017) The Defense Mechanism Profile for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This study aims to address the literature gap with a systematic literature review evaluating (a) what defense use characteristically relates to major depressive disorder (MDD) and (b) how stable this MDD defense profile is. It was hypothesised that MDD would correlate with (1) higher immature, (2) higher neurotic, and (3) lower mature defense use. The literature search accepted empirical articles from six databases, dated till 2017. The MDD defense profile was examined through individual defense mechanism, defense style and overall defensive functioning scores, measured by defense style questionnaire versions DSQ-36, DSQ-40 or DSQ-42 (Andrews et al., 1989; Andrews et al., 1993; Ruuttu et al., 2006b; Trijsberg et al, 2000). Twelve studies were reviewed, including data from 1904 participants. As hypothesised, MDD significantly correlated with higher immature style, and all immature defenses, yet predominantly projection, then passive aggression and autistic fantasy. Also correlated was lower overall defensive functioning maturity and mature defense style, especially humor defense. Neurotic defense use was higher in MDD than no diagnosis, yet not concerning symptomatic occurrence, severity, or suicidality. The MDD defense profile seemed changeable alongside time or severity, especially for immature, then mature defense use. Neurotic defense use appeared a stable MDD profile aspect. Overall, MDD defense profiles, characterised by low mature, and high neurotic and immature defense style, may mature over time and recovery. This study aims to advance the knowledge base of psychological professionals regarding the understanding of the MDD defense profile. However, present results should be carefully interpreted with need for further validation.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Zahra Izadikhah |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Aug 2025 01:09 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Aug 2025 01:09 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Major depressive disorder, major depression, defense mechanisms, defense styles, defenses, suicide, symptom severity, defense style questionnaire, systematic literature review. |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52353 |
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