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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Primary research

Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study

Authors: Anca-Livia Panfil, Mirela Frandes, Aurel Nirestean, Marinela Hurmuz, Diana Lungeanu, Madalina Cristanovici, Laura Lemeti, Andra Isac, Ion Papava, Cristina Bredicean

Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

The challenges faced by professionals when working in the field of psychiatry require the development of adequate defensive and coping mechanisms. This study aimed to explore both coping strategies and defense mechanisms and their relationship in psychiatry trainees in Romania.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine and evaluate both defensive and coping mechanisms of Romanian psychiatry trainees. Defensive Style Questionnaire-60 and COPE scale were applied to psychiatry trainees from five training centers in Romania. By applying structural equation modeling, models that presumed the existence of relationships between coping strategies and defensive mechanisms were analyzed.

Results

Superior defense mechanisms and task-oriented coping strategies were the commonly used approaches by psychiatry trainees. Furthermore, significantly consistent correlations (ranging from 0.2 to 0.5) between adaptive defense mechanisms and coping strategies focused on the problem or emotion were shown. Similarly, avoidant coping strategies correlated with non-adaptive defense mechanisms (correlations between 0.3 and 0.5). Our model presented good fit indices (X²(34) = 64.324, p < 0.001; GFI = 0.93; root mean square error = 0.08). Moreover, the results indicated a weak association between the two types of adaptive processes (r = 0.07, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Psychiatry trainees present a profile based on two independent groups of adaptation processes, namely, adaptive defenses and problem-oriented coping scales and non-adaptive defenses and avoidant coping scales.

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Title: Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study
Authors: Anca-Livia Panfil
Mirela Frandes
Aurel Nirestean
Marinela Hurmuz
Diana Lungeanu
Madalina Cristanovici
Laura Lemeti
Andra Isac
Ion Papava
Cristina Bredicean
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1744-859X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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