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Journal of Personality Disorders Jun 2020In schema therapy, modes are proposed as a key concept and main target for treatment of personality disorders. The present study aimed to assess a comprehensive set of...
In schema therapy, modes are proposed as a key concept and main target for treatment of personality disorders. The present study aimed to assess a comprehensive set of 20 modes, to explore their higher-order structure, and to link the mode factors to the generic schema factor and basic personality traits. The sample consisted of N = 533 inpatients. Earlier versions of the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI, SMI-2) were merged into the German Extended SMI (GE-SMI). Item-level confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the structure of 16 out of 20 GE-SMI scales might be unidimensional. Scale-level exploratory factor analysis revealed three hierarchically structured mode factors: internalization, externalization, and compulsivity. Regressing mode factor scores on the Big Five factors and the generic schema factor supported the validity of the mode factors. The hierarchical structure of modes will be linked to the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology, and implications for case conceptualization and treatment will be discussed.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Concept Formation; Defense Mechanisms; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Inpatients; Male; Personality Disorders; Psychopathology
PubMed: 30307830
DOI: 10.1521/pedi_2018_32_401 -
Psychological Reports Feb 2022The main objective of the study is to explore relations between the time perspective, neurotic symptoms, anxiety, and defense mechanisms in the group of patients...
Time in the Mental Health Context: Neurotic Symptomatology, Defense Mechanisms and the Perception of Time Perspective Among Patients Diagnosed With Neurotic and Personality Disorders - A Clinical Study.
AIM
The main objective of the study is to explore relations between the time perspective, neurotic symptoms, anxiety, and defense mechanisms in the group of patients diagnosed with neurotic and personality disorders (ICD-10 groups: F4x, F60.x and F61) treated with group psychotherapy. The research is conducted on the theoretical basis of the Zimbardo and Boyd's Time Perspective Theory.
METHODS
The study included 49 patients treated in the day ward for the Treatment of Neurotic Disorders and Behavioral Syndromes at the University Hospital. The measurement of the TP was performed with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. Patients also completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaire 40. The diagnosis was done by licensed psychiatrists and supported with the measures: Symptom Checklist KO"O", Neurotic Personality Questionnaire KON-2006.
RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis models showed that the four time perspectives (past negative, present fatalistic, present hedonistic, and future) are predicted in different variations by the level of anxiety state or trait and repertoire of used defense mechanisms (immature or mature).
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the established bilateral correlations, change in the time perspective may constitute an important factor in the reduction of neurotic symptoms, possibly through changes in the repertoire of utilized defense mechanisms. However, there is also possible that altering neurotic symptomatology would alter time perspective. The assessment of the time perspective in patients with neurotic and personality disorders may provide useful data for the diagnosis and the monitoring of psychotherapy effectiveness. Based on the results of this study conducting further research on the role of the changes in the time perspective in the course of psychotherapy is recommended and necessary to expand the understanding of the relations observed in this study.
Topics: Defense Mechanisms; Humans; Mental Health; Personality Disorders; Time Perception; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33349168
DOI: 10.1177/0033294120978164 -
Psychoanalytic Review Oct 2014The present paper offers a conceptual review and clarification of the theoretical construct of intellectualization, a popular concept both in the psychoanalytic... (Review)
Review
The present paper offers a conceptual review and clarification of the theoretical construct of intellectualization, a popular concept both in the psychoanalytic literature and in the culture at large. It is shown that in the contemporary literature, intellectualization is inconsistently conceptualized. A review of the history of the concept reveals two distinct threads of meaning, which are developed and clarified. Intellectualization can best refer either to a variant of the more basic defense of isolation of affect, or to the psychological translation of emotional issues into intellectual terms. Several clinical misunderstandings of intellectualization are presented in a cautionary light.
Topics: Comprehension; Culture; Defense Mechanisms; Emotions; Humans; Psychoanalytic Theory; Psychoanalytic Therapy; Thinking
PubMed: 25247283
DOI: 10.1521/prev.2014.101.5.615 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could potentially enhance photosynthesis and benefit plant growth by improving soil nutrient uptake and affecting plant... (Review)
Review
Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could potentially enhance photosynthesis and benefit plant growth by improving soil nutrient uptake and affecting plant hormone balance. Several recent studies have unveiled a correlation between alterations in photosynthesis and host plant resistance levels. Photosynthesis provides materials and energy for plant growth and immune defense and affects defense-related signaling pathways. Photosynthetic organelles, which could be strengthened by PGPR inoculation, are key centers for defense signal biosynthesis and transmission. Although endophytic PGPRs metabolize plant photosynthates, they can increase soluble sugar levels and alternate sugar type and distribution. Soluble sugars clearly support plant growth and can act as secondary messengers under stressed conditions. Overall, carbohydrate metabolism modifications induced by PGPR may also play a key role in improving plant resistance. We provide a concise overview of current knowledge regarding PGPR-induced modulation in carbohydrate metabolism under both pathogen-infected and pathogen-free conditions. We highlight PGPR application as a cost-saving strategy amidst unpredictable pathogen pressures.
Topics: Plant Development; Plant Growth Regulators; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Alphaproteobacteria; Sugars; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 38338742
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031465 -
Journal of Adolescence Jun 2018This meta-analysis synthesizes the results of 14 independent studies conducted in the U.S. (N = 6979 participants) that examined sex differences in internalized,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This meta-analysis synthesizes the results of 14 independent studies conducted in the U.S. (N = 6979 participants) that examined sex differences in internalized, externalized, and PTSD symptoms associated with grief during adolescence. The mean age of participants was 12.22 years (SD = 2.31) with 50% male and 50% female sex assigned at birth. While no mean-level differences were found between adolescent females and males in externalizing behaviors associated with grief (d = 0.03), on average, females reported higher levels of internalized grief responses (d = 0.18) and higher levels of PTSD symptoms (d = 0.36) than their male counterparts. Findings suggest the need for additional, more nuanced research to investigate possible sex differences in externalized behaviors relating to grief. In addition, research should examine whether tailored therapeutic and intervention measures and resources are needed for adolescents experiencing internalized grief and PTSD symptoms given sex differences in these reactions.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Child; Defense Mechanisms; Female; Grief; Humans; Male; Parental Death; Sex Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 29674176
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.04.001 -
Psychological Assessment Mar 2015The Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40; Andrews, Singh, & Bond, 1993) uses pairs of items to measure 20 individual defense mechanisms. In a statistical sense, these...
The Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40; Andrews, Singh, & Bond, 1993) uses pairs of items to measure 20 individual defense mechanisms. In a statistical sense, these item pairs represent parcels and are subject to the standards of unidimensionality demanded of parcels in general. Using a 2-facet modeling approach (N = 672), the present study examined the dimensionality of the defense-mechanism parcels in the DSQ-40 and found that the majority of the parcels did not satisfy the criteria for unidimensionality. In addition, the original 3-factor model of defense styles was not tenable with the present data. Overall, the results suggest caution when attempting to assess individual defense mechanisms using the DSQ-40.
Topics: Adult; Defense Mechanisms; Female; Humans; Male; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 25602693
DOI: 10.1037/pas0000051 -
Journal of Personality Assessment 2015This article reviews research on defense mechanisms carried out over the past 40 years with children, adolescents, adults, and psychiatric patients. Both experimental... (Review)
Review
This article reviews research on defense mechanisms carried out over the past 40 years with children, adolescents, adults, and psychiatric patients. Both experimental and observational studies are included.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Defense Mechanisms; Empirical Research; Humans
PubMed: 25157632
DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2014.947997 -
Journal of Homosexuality 2016Internalized homonegativity (IH) is an important variable affecting the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. We included 201 studies in a systematic... (Review)
Review
Internalized homonegativity (IH) is an important variable affecting the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. We included 201 studies in a systematic mapping review of IH. Most studies were conducted in North America and examined IH as a predictor of poor health. The primary focus of 14 studies was IH scale measurement, and, in total, these studies detailed nine distinct scales. Eighteen studies compared levels of IH in LGB populations, four described prevention programs, and one investigated IH using qualitative methods. Our review indicates that further research is needed, particularly qualitative research and ways to ameliorate IH.
Topics: Defense Mechanisms; Empirical Research; Female; Homophobia; Homosexuality; Humans; Male; Repression, Psychology
PubMed: 26436322
DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2015.1083788 -
Journal of Applied Genetics Feb 2021Various strategies have been developed globally to conserve germplasm by propagating plants. One important technique is in vitro propagation and preservation through...
Old Catharanthus roseus culture (14 years) produced somatic embryos and plants and showed normal genome size; demonstrated an increased antioxidant defense mechanism; and synthesized stress proteins as biochemical, proteomics, and flow-cytometry studies reveal.
Various strategies have been developed globally to conserve germplasm by propagating plants. One important technique is in vitro propagation and preservation through tissue culture. In many investigated plants, the long in vitro conservation is plagued with several limitations like genetic variations, developmental errors in cells or tissues due to induced stress. This provoked us to conduct a study of Catharanthus roseus culture maintained for over fourteen long years and a newly established 8-month-old culture. The present study investigated and compared the two tissue types differing by their age. The biomass accumulation, the biochemical differences of the two, dead cell analysis with aging via confocal microscopy, and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS)-based proteomic differences were studied in old and newly established Catharanthus culture. The proteomic study reveals more than 120 upregulated or high abundance proteins in old culture as compared to newly established Catharanthus. The identified upregulated proteins are stress protein 69, heat shock proteins (HSP), isocitrate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and others. These proteins had an association with antioxidant activities, related to stress, and a few are linked to respiration. Our study reveals the presence of a robust antioxidant defense mechanism, i.e., 51.94%, 78.8%, and 61% higher SOD, APX, and CAT activities in older cultures (O) as compared to newly established tissues (N), which perhaps act against stress and may play a key role in ameliorating negative impacts of long-term in vitro conditions. The inherent strong antioxidant defense system in old cultures added resilience and enabled the culture to revive growth quickly (within 1-2 days) following transfer to new medium as compared to new culture (7-10 days). The biomass accumulation was more (37.08 %) in old tissues as compared to new culture. The 2C DNA or genome size of C. roseus especially the 14-year-old culture-derived regenerated plant was measured by flow cytometry. The 2C DNA size of this Catharanthus (old culture) plant is 1.516 pg, which is very similar to new culture-derived plants' and field-grown plants' genome size. No anomaly in genome size was noted in plants of old culture, as opposed to common perception.
Topics: Antioxidants; Catharanthus; Defense Mechanisms; Genome Size; Genome, Plant; Heat-Shock Proteins; Plant Proteins; Proteomics
PubMed: 33145639
DOI: 10.1007/s13353-020-00590-4 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Nov 2020In the current study, we aim to examine the link between exposure to multiple traumatic events (polyvictimization), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSS),...
In the current study, we aim to examine the link between exposure to multiple traumatic events (polyvictimization), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSS), and psychiatric symptomatology in early adolescence. Furthermore, we aim to explore the mediating roles of defense styles and coping styles in the associations between polyvictimization, PTSS, and psychiatric symptomatology. Data from a Danish national representative sample of 390 eighth-grade students with a mean age of 13.95 ( = 0.37) years were used. Participants responded to validated self-report questionnaires in 2001. The dimensions of immature defense styles and emotional and avoidance coping mediated the positive associations between polyvictimization, PTSS, and psychiatric symptomatology. Serial multiple mediation indicated that the sum of exposure to traumatic events was significantly associated with more immature defense styles, associated with both high levels emotional and avoidance coping, which, in turn, were associated with high levels of PTSS and psychiatric symptomatology. Polyvictimization is related to adverse outcomes in early adolescence. Both immature defense styles and emotional and avoidance coping styles should be considered as risk factors for the development of psychological distress following exposure to multiple traumas.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Defense Mechanisms; Emotions; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Male; Psychological Distress; Resilience, Psychological; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 29294815
DOI: 10.1177/0886260517716944