The relationship between defense mechanisms and early maladaptive schemas in young adults

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between defense mechanisms and early maladaptive schemas in young adults. Method: In this study data were collected by using Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), The Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3) and personal information forms were created by the researcher for this study. Research statistical analysis in "SPSS 24.0 for Windows" program has been used and interpreted. 448 people participated in the study and the scales were applied mostly online, online and face to face. The results and limitations of the research were discussed in consideration of the relevant literature. Results: Emotional deprivation from early maladaptive schemas showed a significant difference according to gender, and it was higher in women. Pessimism and approval seeking also differed significantly, but were higher in males. Isolation, autistic fantasy, and dissociation from defense mechanisms showed a significant difference according to gender and was higher in women. Sublimation, humor, devaluation, and somatization also differed significantly according to gender and were higher in males. Emotional deprivation, pessimism, social isolation, emotion inhibition, defectiveness and vulnerability harm or illness schemas were more common in young adults aged 18-21, while projection and autistic fantasy defense mechanisms were found to be higher in the same age range. Emotional deprivation and entitlement / insufficient self- control were found to be higher among of early maladaptive schema in singles, while autistic fantasy among of defense mechanisms were similarly higher. Emotional deprivation, pessimism, social isolation / insecurity, defectiveness, vulnerability harm or ilness were more common in high school and lower education levels, while sublimation, reflection, and isolation defense mechanisms were also higher at the same educational level. At the same time, there is a positive relationship between those listed below: Between the emotional deprivation scheme and the neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between the failure scheme and the neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between the pessimism scheme and the neurotic defense mechanisms; between social isolation / mistrust schemes and immature defense mechanisms; between the emotional suppression scheme and the mature and immature defense mechanisms; between the approvel seeking scheme and mature, neurotic immature defense mechanisms; between the enmeshment scheme and the neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between entitlement / self-discipline schemes and mature, neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between self-sacrifice scheme and mature, neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between the abandonment scheme and the dimensions of neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between punitiveness scheme and mature, neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; between the defectiveness scheme and the neurotic and immature defense mechanisms; vulnerability scheme against threats and the dimensions of neurotic and immature defense mechanisms, and between the high standards scheme and the dimensions of mature, neurotic and immature defense mechanisms.