The role of defense mechanisms in the modulation of anger experience and expression: Gender differences and influence on self-report measures

Based on the background that defense mechanisms might contaminate personality evaluation measures, the present study was performed with the aim of verifying the influence of defense mechanisms on a self-evaluation instrument for anger. A total of 100 healthy subjects (44 males and 56 females) completed the STAXI – State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and the DMI – Defense Mechanisms Inventory. Data were analyzed through t test for independent samples, correlation analysis (Pearson’s correlation coefficients), and stepwise regression models. The means for anger experience and expression resulted all in the normal range and no gender differences were observed; no gender differences were found in the use of defense mechanisms. The interference of defense mechanisms on anger self-evaluation was more prominent in males. In both sexes, TAO predicts anger experience and expression. The “contamination” of self-report data by defense mechanisms can lead to oversimplified, unrealistic models of human behavior. The assessment of defense mechanisms associated to self-report instruments may conduce to a more realistic evaluation of anger.