Influence of Perceived Social Support on Perceived Stress and Ego Defense Styles among College Students

Abstract

The current study, grounded in Vaillant’s hierarchical model of defense styles, delves into the interplay among defense mechanisms, perceived stress, and perceived social support within the context of college students. Data (N=135) were analyzed using correlation and mediation analyses. Consistent with the literature the heightened utilization of mature defense styles exhibited a strong correlation with reduced levels of perceived stress. Furthermore, the research uncovered that both mature and immature defense mechanisms were linked to elevated levels of perceived social support, aligning with established theoretical frameworks. The mediating effect of perceived social support was unsupported by the data. This study highlights the importance of the role played by defense styles in our perception of stress and social support and can form the foundation for holistic interventions. This study also investigates the role of maladaptive defense styles and their links to perceived stress and social support, filling a gap in existing literature.