Neuman, Scott (2016) The Mediating Effect of Defence Mechanisms on the Relationship between Distress Tolerance and Alcohol Consumption. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationships between distress tolerance, alcohol consumption and defence mechanisms. A number of previous studies had examined the relationship between distress tolerance and alcohol consumption, however very little research has examined defence mechanisms and its effect on alcohol use. Furthermore, no previous research to date has examined whether defence mechanisms and distress tolerance are related. 174 participants were recruited by a convenience method, from university psychology students and the personal network of the researcher. Participants responded to an online survey including the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-60), and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Results were consistent with the hypotheses. Firstly, both distress tolerance and defence mechanisms were significantly correlated with harmful alcohol consumption. Distress tolerance was also found to be a significant predictor of harmful alcohol use, and defence mechanisms were also found to mediate this relationship, suggesting that individuals with low levels of distress tolerance and more likely to employ the use of defence mechanisms to regulate the emotion, which leads to the harmful consumption of alcohol. Additionally, defence mechanisms appeared to have a larger effect on harmful alcohol use than distress tolerance, suggesting there is a stronger relationship. This provides implications for a basis of future research, in order to further explore these dynamics. If this proves to be a successful field of research, it may help provide therapists with a wider understanding of alcohol related problems, so that they may assist in providing optimum care for their patients.
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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: | 08 Sep 2025 22:52 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Sep 2025 22:52 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | distress tolerance ; defence mechanisms ; alcohol |
| 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/52614 |
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