What factors might influence an individual’s defense mechanisms? Use examples from the case studies to illustrate your answer.
Individuals who have experienced trauma develop their own defense mechanisms to cope with the intrusive recollections and increased physiological arousal. When people suffer trauma their choice of defense can be influenced by three factors,
• Developmental stage
• Temperamental factors
• Contextual factors.
Below I will use the case studies of Jane & Brendan to illustrate how these factors influenced their defense mechanisms to trauma.
Jane experienced the death of her sister at age 7, her developmental stage influenced the type of defense mechanisms she used to cope with the trauma of witnessing her sister’s death. Jane blamed herself for the accident. Prior to the traumatic incident Jane was described as being a “happy – go – lucky child”, however during the following years she lost interest at school and acted out to receive attention, making up stories & fake accidents, including a fake suicide. Jane’s defense mechanism in this example is role playing through fantasy, this involves Jane creating an inner world when her world became too painful, difficult or stressful.
Between the ages of 12 – 18 Jane began experimenting with alcohol and drugs, using them as a defense. Contextual factors primarily her friends, influenced Jane’s use of alcohol & drugs. The case study sites Jane began taking drugs at 13 with friends, at 14 she first tried heroin with an older friend, at 16 more of her friends were using heroin and she found it more alluring. Other contextual factors such as support & practical help with the children in Jane’s later life influenced her defense mechanisms in a positive way, in this insist Jane returned to school & began receiving CBT, allowing herself time out, to heal and discover who she was.
Brendan like Jane