Iranian Journal of Health Psychology

In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Health Psychology

Current Issue

By Issue

By Author

By Subject

Author Index

Keyword Index

About Journal

Aims and Scope

Editorial Board

Journal Metrics

Publication Ethics

Indexing and Abstracting

Related Links

FAQ

Peer Review Process

News

Extended Abstract

Author's Guide

Defense Mechanisms of Medical Interns and Correlation with Spiritual Health

Document Type : research

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Islamic Education, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Department of Islamic Studies, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,

2 Student Research Committee, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

5 Gerontology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol,.Iran,

6 6Professor of Psychology, Department of General Courses, Population, Family and Spiritual Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol,.Iran,

Abstract

Objective: Psychological defense mechanisms reflect how individuals cope with conflicts and stress. This study aimed to describe defense mechanisms in medical interns and their correlation with spiritual health.
Method: This cross-sectional study, characterized by its descriptive nature, was carried out among medical students during the 2019-2020 academic year. The participants were 168 medical interns who met the established study criteria and completed two questionnaires: The Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire (DSQ-40), devised by Andrews et al. (1993), and the Spiritual Health Questionnaire by Paloutzian and Ellison (1982). Data analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 25, employing Pearson correlation, t-tests, and ANOVA for statistical evaluation.
Results: The mean score of mature defense mechanisms (43.31±16.83) among medical interns was higher than immature (98.52±52.8) and neurotic (36.75±18.3) defense mechanisms. The immature defense mechanism was significantly higher in males than in females (99.43±23.41 vs 108.47±23.21, p=0.014). Also, the mean score of immature defense mechanisms in single individuals was considerably higher than in married ones (106.66±24.02 vs 93.12±19.56, p=0.001). The spiritual health of interns had a significant and direct correlation (r=0.249) with mature defense mechanisms and a significant negative correlation (r=-0.336) with immature defense mechanisms.
Conclusion: Higher spiritual health in medical interns is associated with greater use of mature defense mechanisms and lesser use of immature defense mechanisms.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Article Title [Persian]

مکانیسم های دفاعی کارورزان پزشکی و ارتباط با سلامت معنوی

Authors [Persian]

  • محمد هادی یداله پور 1
  • دانیال مسعودی 2
  • آنژلا حمیدیا 3
  • ثریا خفری 4
  • ندا آهنگری 5
  • محبوبه فرامرزی 6

1 Associate Professor of Islamic Education, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Department of Islamic Studies, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,

2 Student Research Committee, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

5 Gerontology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol,.Iran,

6 6Professor of Psychology, Department of General Courses, Population, Family and Spiritual Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol,.Iran,

Abstract [Persian]

مقدمه: مکانیسم های دفاعی روان شناختی، بازتابی از نحوه ی برخورد فرد با تعارض و استرس است. با توجه به تنش ها و استرس های شغل پزشکی به خصوص در دوره کارورزی، شناخت این مکانیسم های دفاعی روان شناختی و عوامل تاثیر گذار بر آن ضروری می باشد. لذا هدف از این مطالعه بررسی مکانسیم دفاعی و ارتباط آن با سلامت معنوی می باشد.
روش: این مطالعه توصیفی-تحلیلی، بر روی کارورزان پزشکی سال تحصیلی 98-1397 انجام شده است. 168 کارورز پزشکی که شرایط ورود به مطالعه را داشتند، دو پرسشنامه سلامت معنوی Paloutzian Ellison (1982) و مکانیزم های دفاعی اندروز و همکاران ( DSQ-40 (1993 و را تکمیل کردند. تجزیه و تحلیل توسط نرم افزار spss.v25 با تست های پیرسون، تی تست و آنوا انجام گرفت.
یافته ها: میانگین مکانیسم دفاعی بالغ (83/16±31/43) در کارورزان پزشکی، بیشتر از مکانیسم نابالغ (52/98±8/52) و نورتیک(75/36±3/18) بود. مکانیسم دفاعی نابالغ در مردان بطور معناداری بیشتر از زنان (47/108± 21/23 در مقابل 43/99± 41/23 ) بود(014/0p=). میانگین مکانیسم دفاعی نابالغ در افراد مجرد نیز بطور معناداری بیشتر از افراد متاهل (66/106±02/24 در مقابل12/93±56/19) بود (001/0p=). سلامت معنوی کارورزان با مکانیسم های دفاعی بالغ رابطه معنادار و مستقیم (249/0r=) و با مکانیسم های دفاعی نابالغ، رابطه معنادار منفی (336/0r=-) داشت.
نتیجه گیری: سلامت معنوی بالاتر در کارورزان پزشکی با بکارگیری بیشتر از مکانیسم های دفاعی بالغ و استفاده کمتر از مکانیسم های دفاعی ناپخته همراه است.
مکانیسم های دفاعی، سلامت معنوی، کارورزان پزشکی، دفاع بالغ، دفاع نابالغ.

Keywords [Persian]

  • مکانیسم های دفاعی
  • سلامت معنوی
  • کارورزان پزشکی
  • دفاع بالغ
  • دفاع نابالغ
References
Afzali, M. H., FathiAshtiani, A., & Azadfallah, P. (2009). The Study of defense styles & mechanisms in patients with Obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder & social phobia disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1(1), 79–93.
Ahmadi, M., Najafi, M., Hoseini M, S. A., & Ashori, A. (2012). The comparison of defense mechanism styles and personality characteristics in addicts and healthy individuals. Scientific Quarterly Research on Addiction, 6(23), 39–51.
Akbari Sajirani, F., & Mousavi, S. F. (2016). The study of triple dimensions (subjective, psychological and spiritual) of well-being in prediction of fear of normal delivery in pregnant women. Journal of Clinical Nursing and Midwifery, 5(3), 62–72.
Andrews, G., Singh, M., & Bond, M. (1993). The defense style questionnaire. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 181(4), 246–256.
Aryan, H., Faridhosseini, F., Gharavi, M., Tamiztousi, T., & Ziaee, M. (2023). Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Alexithymia, and Defense Mechanisms Among Medical Students of Northeastern Iran in 2020. Progress in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 17(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.5812/ppbs-128433
Babaei Menghari, M., & Khaleghkhah, A. (2017). Path analysis model between spiritual Health, quality of life with depression thalasemia major patients. Health Psychology, 5(17), 119–134.
Ballew, S. H., Hannum, S. M., Gaines, J. M., Marx, K. A., & Parrish, J. M. (2012). The role of spiritual experiences and activities in the relationship between chronic illness and psychological well-being. Journal of Religion and Health, 51, 1386–1396.
Behzadi, S., Mirbehresi, H., & Yari, M. (2014). The relationship between emotional intelligence and defense mechanisms in medical students of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University, 24(2).
Blanco, C., Kampe, L., Wall, M. M., Liu, S.-M., Wang, S., Caligor, E., & Olfson, M. (2023). Approximating defense mechanisms in a national study of adults: Prevalence and correlates with functioning. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1), 21.
Bonelli, R. M., & Koenig, H. G. (2013). Mental disorders, religion and spirituality 1990 to 2010: A systematic evidence-based review. Journal of Religion and Health, 52, 657–673.
Bullitt, C. W., & Farber, B. A. (2002). Gender differences in defensive style. Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, 30(1), 35–51.
Chavoshian, S. A., Moeini, B., Bashirian, S., & Feradmal, J. (2015). The role of spiritual health and social support in predicting nurses’ quality of life. Journal of Education and Community Health, 2(1), 19–28.
Clements, A. D., & Ermakova, A. V. (2012). Surrender to God and stress: A possible link between religiosity and health. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 4(2), 93.
Costa, R. M., & Brody, S. (2013). Immature psychological defense mechanisms are associated with greater personal importance of junk food, alcohol, and television. Psychiatry Research, 209(3), 535–539.
Cramer, P. (2008). Seven pillars of defense mechanism theory. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(5), 1963–1981.
Craven, R. F., Hirnle, C. J., & Henshaw, C. (1992). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function. Lippincott.
Dehbashi, F., Sabzevari, S., & Tirgari, B. (2015). The relationship between spiritual well-being and hope in Hemodialysis patients referring to the Khatam Anbiya hospital in Zahedan 2013-2014.
Diehl, M., Chui, H., Hay, E. L., Lumley, M. A., Grühn, D., & Labouvie-Vief, G. (2014). Change in coping and defense mechanisms across adulthood: Longitudinal findings in a European American sample. Developmental Psychology, 50(2), 634.
Elyasi, F., Hosseininejad, S. M., Islami Parkoohi, P., Kamali, M., Azizi, M., Karimi, N., Mohseni Moalemkolae, N., & Ghajar, M. (n.d.). The relationship between defense mechanisms and nurses’ occupational burnout: A cross-sectional study. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 14(4).
Fountoulakis, K. N., Siamouli, M., Magiria, S., & Kaprinis, G. (2008). Late-life depression, religiosity, cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment and attitudes towards death in the elderly: Interpreting the data. Medical Hypotheses, 70(3), 493–496.
Giovazolias, T., Karagiannopoulou, E., & Mitsopoulou, E. (2017). Can the factor structure of defense style questionnaire (DSQ-40) contribute to our understanding of parental acceptance/rejection, bullying, victimization and perceived well-being in greek early adolescents? Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 13(2), 269.
Gokdag, R. (2015). Defence Mechanisms Used By University Students to cope with Stress. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 6(2), 1–12.
Haghighi, M., Yavarian, R., Maaroof, M., & Sohrabi, F. (2019). The relationship between mental health and defense mechanisms in bachelor students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 17(2), 111–119.
Heidari Nasab, L., Mansouri, M., Azadfallah, P., & Shaieeri, M. R. (2007). Heydarinasab L, Mansouri M, AZAD FP, Shaieeri MR. [Validity and reliability of Defens Style Questionaire (DSQ-40) in iranian samples]. Clin Psychol Pers. 2007;1(22):11-27. Persian. Clinical Psychology and Personality, 5(1), 11–27.
Hodes, G. E., & Epperson, C. N. (2019). Sex differences in vulnerability and resilience to stress across the life span. Biological Psychiatry, 86(6), 421–432.
Hosseini, M., Sadegh Moghadam, L., Graminejad, N., & Sadeghi, S. (2018). The role of religious orientation in use of psychological defense mechanisms in medical students. Journal of Religion and Health, 6(1), 10–18.
Imanzad, M., Atabeigi Momtaz, G., Mousavimoghadam, S. R., Najafi, N., & Khodadadi, Z. (2014). The effect of religious attitude and spirituality orientation on defense mechanisms. Medical Science Journal of Islamic Azad Univesity-Tehran Medical Branch, 23(4), 54–58.
Kazemi Rezaei,  seyed ali, Shahgholian,  mahnaz, Kazemi Rezaei,  syed vali, & Karbalaei Esmaeil,  ensiye. (2018). Relationship between defense mechanisms styles and self-concept among University Students: ‌‌‌‌‌Structural Equation. Quarterly Journal of Research in Psychological Health, 33(12), 66–76.
Koenig, H., Koenig, H. G., King, D., & Carson, V. B. (2012). Handbook of religion and health. Oup Usa.
la Cour, P. (2002). Psychological defenses of Danish medical students. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 190(1), 22–26.
Liu, E. Y., Schieman, S., & Jang, S. J. (2011). Religiousness, spirituality, and psychological distress in Taiwan. Review of Religious Research, 53, 137–159.
Mazidi, M., & Heydari, M. (2014). The relationship between spiritual intelligence and defense mechanisms. Psychological Research Quarterly, 6(23), 46–58.
Moghadam, S. R. M., Madmoli, M., & Nikpay, S. (2018). An investigation of the relationship between spiritual health and depression, anxiety, and stress among students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science, 6(3), 294–300.
MomeniGhaleghasemi, T., Musarezaie, A., & Moeini, M. (2013). Survey of relationship between spiritual wellbeing with anxiety and some demographic variables in patients with coronary artery disease. Journal of Health System Research, 9(7), 702–711.
Mousa, O. Y., Dhamoon, M. S., Lander, S., & Dhamoon, A. S. (2016). The MD blues: Under-recognized depression and anxiety in medical trainees. PloS One, 11(6), e0156554.
Nodoushan, R. J., Alimoradi, H., & Nazari, M. (2020). Spiritual health and stress in pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, 2(12), 2528–2534.
Papazisis, G., Nicolaou, P., Tsiga, E., Christoforou, T., & Sapountzi-Krepia, D. (2014). Religious and  spiritual beliefs, self-esteem, anxiety and depression among nursing students. Nursing and Health Sciences, 16, 332–338.
Parekh, M. A., Majeed, H., Khan, T. R., Khan, A. B., Khalid, S., Khwaja, N. M., Khalid, R., Khan, M. A., Rizqui, I. M., & Jehan, I. (2010). Ego defense mechanisms in Pakistani medical students: A cross sectional analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 10(1), 1–8.
Perkins, D. F., & Jones, K. R. (2004). Risk behaviors and resiliency within physically abused adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect, 28(5), 547–563.
Rezaei, M., Seyedfatemi, N., & Hosseini, F. (2008). Spiritual well-being in cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. Hayat, 14.
Simoni, J. M., Martone, M. G., & Kerwin, J. F. (2002). Spirituality and psychological adaptation among women with HIV/AIDS: Implications for counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 49(2), 139.
Smith, R., Steklis, H. D., Steklis, N. G., Weihs, K. L., & Lane, R. D. (2020). The evolution and development of the uniquely human capacity for emotional awareness: A synthesis of comparative anatomical, cognitive, neurocomputational, and evolutionary psychological perspectives. Biological Psychology, 154, 107925.
Sokhandani, M., Jalili Nikoo, S., Mohammadalipoor, Z., Ghasemi Jobaneh, R., & Nejatinejad, N. (2015). Role of spiritual intelligence in defensive styles of nursing students. Interdisciplinary Journal of Virtual Learning in Medical Sciences, 6(4).
Taghian, H., Safouraie, & Hosein, K. (2020). The relationship of religious orientation and attachment styles with defense mechanisms. Islam and Psychological Research, 13(6), 85–106.
Ullman, S., Peter-Hagene, L., & Relyea, M. (2014). Coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame as mediators of sexual abuse and psychological symptoms in adult sexual assault. J Child Sex Abus, 23, 74–93.
Vaillant, G. E. (2020). Defense mechanisms. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 1024–1033.
Vaillant, G. E. (2022). Involuntary coping mechanisms: A psychodynamic perspective. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
Waqas, A., Rehman, A., Malik, A., Muhammad, U., Khan, S., & Mahmood, N. (2015). Association of ego defense mechanisms with academic performance, anxiety and depression in medical students: A mixed methods study. Cureus, 7(9).
Zarei, A. R., & Haghayegh, S. A. (2017). The predict of psychological well-being based on defense mechanisms and adaptation strategies in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Health Psychol, 5(20), 137–151.
Zareipour, M., Abdolkarimi, M., Asadpour, M., Dashti, S., & Askari, F. (2017). The relationship between spiritual health and self-efficacy in pregnant women referred to rural health centers of Uremia in 2015. Community Health Journal, 10(2), 52–61.
Żechowski, C. (2017). Theory of drives and emotions-from Sigmund Freud to Jaak Panksepp. Psychiatr Pol, 51(6), 1181–1189.
 
Iranian Journal of Health Psychology
Volume 7, Issue 3 - Serial Number 21
August 2024
Pages 73-85
Files
Share
How to cite
Statistics