Features of personality defence from a stressful situation
Abstract
The article is devoted to the phenomenon of psychological defence as an unconscious reaction of the individual’s psyche to real or imaginary danger. On the basis of theoretical analysis of scientific works, the authors identify psychoanalytic, psychotherapeutic, psychological and philosophical directions of studying psychological defence. It considers the peculiarities of psychological defence as a mechanism for eliminating and reducing emotional stress and anxiety associated with the awareness of intrapersonal conflict.
The article explores the conditions and consequences of the positive and negative effects of psychological defence aimed at distorting reality and reducing the impact of stress, which leads either to personality development or neurosis. It reveals how psychological defence fosters self-support and confidence in one’s own perspectives. It is emphasised that psychological defence contributes to more cohesive and adaptive behaviour.
It is established that psychological defence is a condition for the formation of psychological security of the individual, which is manifested in an adequate level of aspirations and normative self-esteem, responsibility, a sense of belonging to a group, the capacity for proactive and self-directed action, the absence of an increased level of fear and anxiety.
It is noted that psychological defence performs adaptive and regulatory roles, affects the personality constructively and destructively. It makes the behaviour adapted or maladapted. The article empirically identifies the peculiarities of the psychological security of the respondents due to adequate self-esteem, high level of stress resistance and social adaptation. Inflated or deflated self-esteem, low level of stress resistance and social adaptation have a destructive effect on the personality, so he or she is not psychologically protected, and his or her behaviour may be maladapted. The article notes that psychological defence is aimed at preserving the psychological security of an individual, inviolability and integrity of his or her inner world.
