@article{ref1,
title="Assumed competence as defense mechanism: its relation to mental health",
journal="Japanese journal of research on emotions",
year="2015",
author="Suzuki, Yumi and Hayamizu, Toshihiko",
volume="23",
number="1",
pages="23-31",
abstract="Focusing on the argument of which assumed competence was derived from the motivation of self-enhancement for the ego-threatened person, the present study elucidated its relationship to anxiety, defense mechanism, subjective well-being, and hopelessness. In the first study, 354 undergraduates were classified into 4 competence types based on crossing scores of the Assumed Competence and Self-Esteem scales: atrophic, self-esteemed, omnipotent, and assumed. Those who were categorized in assumed competence type rated the highest on anxiety and coped with their ego-threat on immature defense level. In the second study, a self-report questionnaire was administered to 300 undergraduates to examine the relationships among assumed competence, self-esteem, subjective well-being, and hopelessness. The results clarified that their mental health varied not solely with a tendency of undervaluing others but with self-esteem. Discussed were some issues for future research in terms of training programs exerted to cope with ego-threats on mature defense level, to protect self-esteem, and then to improve well-being for adolescents.<p /> <p>Language: ja</p>",
language="ja",
issn="1882-8817",
doi="10.4092/jsre.23.23",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4092/jsre.23.23"
}