Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the defensive profile in breast cancer women: A pilot study

Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe*, Annarita Di Silvestre, Rosa Lo Sterzo, Paul Hitchcott, Angelo Gemignani, Ciro Conversano

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study analyzed the defensive functioning and profile of nine breast cancer women and identifies the differences from other cancer patients (N0) in the way they deal with internal conflicts and stressful situations related to the illness. Patients were interviewed and evaluated using the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale Q-sort. Mean differences analysis showed that breast cancer patients use more reaction formation, omnipotence, and rationalization and less idealization of others-image and autistic fantasy, compared with other-site cancer patients. From the qualitative analysis of the defensive profile, displacement and repression appeared among the most representative defense mechanisms of breast cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2055102919854667
JournalHealth Psychology Open
Volume6
Issue number1
Early online date10 Jun 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jun 2019

Keywords

  • adaptiveness
  • breast cancer
  • cancer-related stress
  • defense mechanisms
  • defensive profile
  • defense mechanism rating scales
  • Q-sort
  • psycho-oncology

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