Does Psychosocial Ego Development Partially Mediate the Association Between Defense Mechanisms and Death Attitude?

Abstract

Some authors suggest the existence of links between the mechanisms of defense and attitude toward death, however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. The objective of the present research was to investigate whether psychosocial ego development is a partial mediator in the association between mechanisms of defense and death attitude. The study included participants (N = 382) aged 19–85 (M = 47.02, SD = 16.19). Three measures were used: Defense Style Questionnaire-40, Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths, and Death Attitude Profile-Revised. Findings partly confirmed the hypotheses. Psychosocial ego development is a partial mediator in positive relationships between maladaptive defenses and fear of death, death avoidance, and escape acceptance. Psychosocial ego development is also a partial mediator in the positive association between more adaptive defenses and approach acceptance. The study provides novel information on the mechanisms underlying the association between defense mechanisms and multidimensional death attitude.