The effect of cognitive skills on the post trauma defense mechanisms

People who are exposed to traumatic life events develop defense mechanisms to deal with negative psychological consequences. However, it is not known exactly which processes are effective in the type of defense mechanisms that occur in different types. In this study, the role, function and effectiveness of cognitive skills were investigated in determining the type of defense mechanisms developed after trauma. The sample of the study was made up of 20 adult volunteers who were exposed to at least one traumatic life event for life with simple random random sampling method and 20 adult volunteers who were not exposed to any traumatic life event for life. At the first stage, each participant who wanted to participate voluntarily in the study was given a sociodemographic data form and trauma evaluation form. In the second stage, Cattell Intelligence Test (3A Form), d2 Attention Test and Benton Visual Memory Test were applied to measure cognitive skills such as intelligence, attention and memory. The relationship between the severity of the trauma experienced, the number of traumas owned, the mature, immature and neurotic defense mechanisms developed by ego, and distraction, psychomotor performance, sustainable attention problem, oscillation of attention, visual memory, abstract thinking skills were examined. SPSS for Windows 22.0 program was used for data analysis. As a result of the study, no significant relationship was found regarding the effect of cognitive skills on defense mechanisms developed after trauma. Keywords: Trauma, Cognitive Skills, Defense Mechanisms