Hooker, Jessica (2018) The Mediating Effect of Defence Mechanisms on the Relationship between Alexithymia and Depression. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Current research has established a relationship between alexithymia and depression. Previous research suggests that alexithymic individuals typically use immature defence mechanisms to deal with stress. Furthermore, immature defence mechanisms have been found to increase vulnerability to pathological illness, including depression. This study aims to expand on the current research and to further examine the relationships between alexithymia, depression, and defence mechanisms. More importantly, to examine a previously unconsidered mediating effect of the use of immature defence mechanisms on the relationship between alexithymia and depression. Participants included Australian residents aged over 18 years who were recruited via a convenience method, including a University student participant pool and through researcher’s own social media network. Participants completed an online survey which included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). The results were consistent with the hypotheses and supported past research findings. Firstly, high scores of alexithymia was positively related to high scores of depression. Secondly, high scores of alexithymia was positively related to the use of immature defence mechanism. Thirdly, the use of immature defence mechanisms was related to high scores of depression. Finally, a mediation analyses showed that high scores of alexithymia has an indirect effect on high scores of depression, through the use of immature defence mechanisms. This mediating effect indicates the complexity of the relationship between alexithymia and depression. Thus, warranting future research and examination into these constructs and relationships in order to gain a greater understanding of the potential risk factors for depression.
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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: | 14 Aug 2025 01:18 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2025 01:18 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | depression, alexithymia, defence mechanisms, immature defence style, mediation, emotion regulation |
| 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/52423 |
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