To Investigate the Effect of Predicting Defense Mechanisms and Identity Styles with Resiliency in Early, Mid, and late Adolescence

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between defense mechanisms, identity styles, hardiness and assertiveness with resiliency in early, mid, and late adolescence.

The present study is a descriptive correlational study. Accordingly, from all high school students in Jam city in 2017-2018 academic year, 300 persons (150 girls and 150 boys) were selected using simple random sampling method and completed hardiness inventory, assertiveness scale, defense mechanisms inventory, and identity styles scale and resiliency scale.

The results showed that there was no positive and significant relationship between information identity style, confused / avoidant and normative identity style with resilience. There was a positive and significant relationship between courage and resilience. There were positive and significant relationship between assertiveness and hardiness with resilience. There was a positive and significant relationship between developed defense mechanisms and resilience. There was no significant relationship between underdeveloped defense mechanisms and resilience. There was a significant negative relationship between neurotic defense mechanism and resilience. It was also shown that the mean of information identity style increases in late adolescence and there was no significant difference between male and female adolescents in terms of the studied variables.

Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that assertiveness and then hardiness and developed defense mechanisms are the most important predictors of adolescent resilience. At the end, the suggestions and limitations of the research were stated.