Which is a psychological defence mechanism in which an individual copes with stressful or anxiety-provoking relationships or situations by retreating to an earlier developmental stage?

1. A

   Projection

2. B

   Suppression

3. C

   Regression

4. D

   Repression

Appeared in: Bihar NHM CHO-2025

Explanation

• Regression is an ego defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously copes with internal or external stressors by returning to an earlier developmental stage.
• This retreat involves adopting behaviors, feelings, and ways of thinking that were characteristic of a younger, more secure time in their life.
• The core purpose is to avoid the anxiety and conflict associated with their current level of development.
• Common examples include an adult throwing a temper tantrum, a child resuming thumb-sucking, or an individual becoming overly dependent on others when ill.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person. It does not involve reverting to an earlier developmental stage.
• Option B: Suppression is the conscious, deliberate effort to forget or push away troubling thoughts or feelings. It is a conscious process, unlike regression, which is unconscious.
• Option D: Repression is the unconscious blocking of unpleasant or unacceptable thoughts and memories from conscious awareness. While it is an unconscious mechanism like regression, it involves 'forgetting' rather than 'reverting'.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Flowchart - A flowchart illustrating different types of Freudian defense mechanisms (e.g., primitive, immature, neurotic, mature) with brief definitions and examples for each, including regression, projection, and repression.
• Visual 2: Diagram - A simple diagram showing a timeline of a person's life. An arrow points from 'Adulthood (Stress)' back to 'Childhood (Security)' to visually represent the concept of regression.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Knowing Psychological Defense Mechanisms helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
• Nurses frequently encounter patients exhibiting defense mechanisms, especially during times of illness, hospitalization, or when receiving a difficult diagnosis. Recognizing these behaviors is crucial for therapeutic communication.
• Identifying regression in a patient (e.g., an adult patient becoming unusually demanding or childlike) allows the nurse to respond with empathy and provide the needed reassurance and support, rather than with frustration.
• Understanding these mechanisms helps the nurse to look beyond the immediate behavior and understand the underlying anxiety the patient is experiencing, leading to more effective and compassionate care.

How to Approach the Question

• First, carefully read the question to identify the key concept. The question asks for a defense mechanism involving a 'retreat to an earlier developmental stage'.
• Next, analyze the definition provided in the stem. The core action is 'retreating' or 'going back'.
• Review each option and recall its definition:
• Projection: Blaming others.
• Suppression: Consciously pushing thoughts away.
• Regression: Reverting to childlike behavior.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Psychological Defense Mechanisms
• Stem keywords: psychological defence mechanism, stressful, anxiety-provoking, retreating, earlier developmental stage
• Lead-in keywords: Which is
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q3e0PJ0RsnpktWdDkUD6-e

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