Comparing defense mechanisms, impulsivity, trait anger and anger expression styles between individuals with subtance addiction diagnosis and those without

This study aims to compare the defense mechanisms, impulsivity, continuous anger, and anger expression styles of individuals diagnosed with substance addiction undergoing inpatient treatment with those of healthy individuals who have not been diagnosed with any substance addiction. The sample of the study consists of 41 male patients undergoing treatment for substance addiction at the AMATEM clinic of Van Health Sciences University Education and Research Hospital, and 41 healthy males residing in Van province who do not use any substances. For data collection purposes, participants were administered a Personal Information Form, Defense Styles Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Continuous Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale. Chi-square analyses were conducted to examine the structures of the groups composed of individuals diagnosed with and without substance addiction based on demographic variables. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the variables used in the study. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the defense mechanisms, continuous anger, anger expression styles, and impulsivity levels of the two groups forming the sample. According to the analysis findings, it was observed that individuals diagnosed with substance addiction used immature defense mechanisms, while those without diagnosis used mature defense mechanisms. Additionally, it was found that the scores of isolation, dissociation, and idealization defense mechanisms in the group diagnosed with substance addiction were higher, while the scores of expectation defense mechanisms in healthy individuals were higher. The findings from the study indicate that the continuous anger levels and impulsivity scores of individuals in the experimental group are higher compared to those in the non-diagnosed group. Moreover, individuals in the experimental group were found to express their anger outwardly, while individuals in the control group were able to control their anger more compared to the experimental group. The results obtained were discussed in the light of relevant literature, and recommendations were made for future studies.