Self-esteem and defense mechanisms in abused adolescent girls
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2010-02-12
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย
Abstract
Objective: This study examined self-esteem, defense styles and compared between higher and lower self-esteem groups in abused adolescent girls. Materials and methods: Subjects were 147 girls, institute ordered by Child Protection Act in two governmental shelters, age 12 to 18 with a history of child abused answered self -reported questionnaires assessing education, family atmosphere, relationship to parent, self esteem (FSC Thai version) and defense mechanism organization (DSQ Thai version). Results: Mean age of the group was 15.4 (SD = 1.5) and 56.5 % were studying in secondary school. The family atmosphere and relationship with mother significantly correlated to self-esteem among abused adolescent girls. Adolescents who reporting higher self-esteem used more sublimation, while those with lower self-esteem showed more immature defense styles, and used more projection, acting out and displacement than the other group. Conclusion: There was significant correlation between family atmosphere, relationship with mother, defense styles, and self-esteem in abused adolescent girls. The results may lead to further research and treatment programs for enhancing self esteem and resiliency in abused children.
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย; Volume 16 Number 2 May 2008; 78-89