Relationship between parents' defense mechanisms and personal supportive factors with coming-to-terms behaviors in university students

Abstract

The present study was aimed to determine the relationship between parents' defense mechanisms and personal supportive factors with coming-to-terms in students. The study used a correlational method; and the statistical population consisted of all students of BA and upper levels, who referred to Tehran's national library during the first half of 2013, from whom 90 individuals were selected as the sample   of the study, using random sampling method. They completed Andrews' et al (1993) defense styles questionnaire, Zimet's et al Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Britani Hermandz's Coming-to-Terms behaviors (2008). Frequency, mean, deviation, standard, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression analysis were used in order to analyze data. Results showed that there is a relationship between parents' developed defense mechanisms, underdeveloped defense mechanisms, and neurotic defense mechanisms, and personal supportive factors with students' coming-to-terms behaviors. From predictor variables, personal supportive play a have a greater share in the expression of students' coming-to-terms behaviors. Finally, it can be concluded that considering the role of defense mechanisms in mental health, and considering the fact that different defense mechanisms affect individuals' stressful emotions in various ways, clinical experts and consultants can help patients to develop defense mechanisms and review personal and social supportive factors, following which we can expect them to better face this negative emotion and come to terms with it.