Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Depression is one of the most important causes of disability all over the world, which has many negative consequences for the individual and the society. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors related to this disorder. The aim of this research was to compare ego strength, defense mechanisms and object relations in depressed people with healthy people.
Methods: The design of the current research was of a comparative causal type. The statistical population includes patients suffering from depression who visited the psychotherapy centers of Shiraz in 2018, from which a statistical sample of 35 people was selected to participate in the research. 35 healthy people who were the same age, education and gender with the patient group were selected. In order to collect information, ego strength questionnaires, object relations questionnaires and defense mechanisms questionnaires were used. Independent t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that the ego strength in depressed people is significantly lower than healthy people. Depressed people showed higher scores than the healthy group in the dimensions of Object Relations, including alienation, insecure attachment, self-centeredness, and social incompetence. In the variable of defensive styles, the results showed that depressed people use more defense styles that are immature and irritable, and normal people use developed defense styles.
Discussion and conclusion: The findings of this research provide evidence for the psychological damage of depression and show the role of ego strength, defense mechanisms and object relations in depression disorder.
Key words: Depression, Ego Strength, Object Relations, Defense Mechanisms
Keywords
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