Objective: This study examines the role of defense mechanisms in the psychopathology of externalizing disorders. Specifically, it investigates the relationship between defensive maturity and mentalization capacity, assessing their impact on externalizing disorders in childhood and adolescence. The primary objective is to explore differences in the use of defense mechanisms between clinical and non-clinical populations and to elucidate the interconnections among mentalization, defense mechanisms, and psychopathology. Method: An empirical approach was employed, supported by a comprehensive theoretical review. Data were collected using validated assessment tools, including the Child Attachment Interview, the Child and Adolescent Reflective Functioning Scale, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the associations between defensive strategies, mentalization capacity, and vulnerability to externalizing disorders, with particular focus on differences between clinical and non-clinical groups. Results: Findings indicate that individuals with externalizing disorders exhibit a significantly greater use of maladaptive defense mechanisms compared to non-clinical participants. Moreover, higher mentalization capacity is associated with more mature defensive strategies and lower psychopathological vulnerability. Statistical analyses confirm a strong relationship between defensive functioning and psychopathology, with significant implications for understanding the developmental trajectories of defense mechanisms. Conclusions: The maturation of defense mechanisms plays a critical role in psychological and behavioral stability. Individuals with externalizing disorders tend to rely more frequently on immature defenses, suggesting that enhancing reflective function may facilitate more adaptive coping strategies. This study highlights significant differences between clinical and non-clinical groups and underscores the importance of targeted clinical interventions aimed at strengthening mentalization capacity to foster healthier defensive mechanisms and improve psychological well-being in children and adolescents. Keywords: Defense mechanisms, mentalization, psychopathology, externalizing disorders, reflective function, personality development, defensive strategies, clinical intervention.
Obiettivo: Questo studio esplora il ruolo dei meccanismi di difesa nella psicopatologia dei disturbi esternalizzanti. In particolare, analizza la relazione tra la maturità difensiva e la capacità di mentalizzazione, valutandone l’impatto sui disturbi esternalizzanti in infanzia e adolescenza. L’obiettivo principale è indagare le differenze nell’uso dei meccanismi di difesa tra soggetti clinici e non clinici e comprendere in che modo mentalizzazione, difese e psicopatologia siano interconnesse. Metodo: Lo studio ha adottato un approccio empirico supportato da una solida revisione teorica. I dati sono stati raccolti tramite strumenti validati, tra cui il Child Attachment Interview, la Child and Adolescent Reflective Functioning Scale, la Child Behavior Checklist e la Defense Mechanism Rating Scale. L’analisi statistica è stata condotta per verificare l’associazione tra strategie difensive, capacità di mentalizzazione e vulnerabilità ai disturbi esternalizzanti, con particolare attenzione alle differenze tra campioni clinici e non clinici. Risultati: I risultati evidenziano che i soggetti con disturbi esternalizzanti mostrano un utilizzo significativamente maggiore di meccanismi di difesa maladattivi rispetto ai soggetti non clinici. Inoltre, è emerso che una maggiore capacità di mentalizzazione è associata a strategie difensive più mature e a una minore vulnerabilità psicopatologica. Le analisi statistiche confermano un forte legame tra il funzionamento difensivo e la psicopatologia, con importanti implicazioni per la comprensione dei processi difensivi in età evolutiva. Conclusioni: L’evoluzione dei meccanismi di difesa gioca un ruolo determinante nella stabilità psicologica e comportamentale. I soggetti con disturbi esternalizzanti tendono a utilizzare più frequentemente difese immature, suggerendo che un potenziamento della funzione riflessiva possa favorire un adattamento più efficace. Questo studio sottolinea importanti differenze tra il campione non clinico e quello con disturbi esternalizzanti, inoltre evidenzia l’importanza di interventi clinici mirati a rafforzare la capacità di mentalizzazione per promuovere strategie difensive più funzionali e migliorare il benessere psicologico di bambini e adolescenti. Key words: Meccanismi di difesa, mentalizzazione, psicopatologia, disturbi esternalizzanti, funzione riflessiva, sviluppo della personalità, strategie difensive, intervento clinico.
I meccanismi di difesa: uno specchio sui disturbi di spettro esternalizzante e sulla capacità di mentalizzare
GAMMINO, MATTEO
2023/2024
Abstract
Objective: This study examines the role of defense mechanisms in the psychopathology of externalizing disorders. Specifically, it investigates the relationship between defensive maturity and mentalization capacity, assessing their impact on externalizing disorders in childhood and adolescence. The primary objective is to explore differences in the use of defense mechanisms between clinical and non-clinical populations and to elucidate the interconnections among mentalization, defense mechanisms, and psychopathology. Method: An empirical approach was employed, supported by a comprehensive theoretical review. Data were collected using validated assessment tools, including the Child Attachment Interview, the Child and Adolescent Reflective Functioning Scale, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the associations between defensive strategies, mentalization capacity, and vulnerability to externalizing disorders, with particular focus on differences between clinical and non-clinical groups. Results: Findings indicate that individuals with externalizing disorders exhibit a significantly greater use of maladaptive defense mechanisms compared to non-clinical participants. Moreover, higher mentalization capacity is associated with more mature defensive strategies and lower psychopathological vulnerability. Statistical analyses confirm a strong relationship between defensive functioning and psychopathology, with significant implications for understanding the developmental trajectories of defense mechanisms. Conclusions: The maturation of defense mechanisms plays a critical role in psychological and behavioral stability. Individuals with externalizing disorders tend to rely more frequently on immature defenses, suggesting that enhancing reflective function may facilitate more adaptive coping strategies. This study highlights significant differences between clinical and non-clinical groups and underscores the importance of targeted clinical interventions aimed at strengthening mentalization capacity to foster healthier defensive mechanisms and improve psychological well-being in children and adolescents. Keywords: Defense mechanisms, mentalization, psychopathology, externalizing disorders, reflective function, personality development, defensive strategies, clinical intervention.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/27948