TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Assumed competence as defense mechanism: its relation to mental health
JO  - Japanese journal of research on emotions
A1  - Suzuki, Yumi
A1  - Hayamizu, Toshihiko
SP  - 23
EP  - 31
VL  - 23
IS  - 1
N2  - 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>
LA  - ja
SN  - 1882-8817
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4092/jsre.23.23
ID  - ref1
ER  -