Citation

Steiner H, Feldman SS. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 1995; 34(2): 180-190.

Affiliation

Division of Child Psychiatry and Child Development, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5540.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/00004583-199502000-00013

PMID

7896651

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This project evaluated the discriminant validity of two self-report measures of adaptive styles. METHOD: The Weinberger Adjustment Inventory, which assesses distress, restraint, denial, and repressive defensiveness, and the Bond Defense Style Questionnaire, which assesses immature, neurotic, and mature defenses, were administered to 272 adolescents: normal comparison group boys (n = 63), normal comparison group girls (n = 68), girls with psychosomatic disorders (n = 75), and incarcerated delinquent boys (n = 66). Multivariate analyses of covariance, analyses of covariance, and discriminant analyses (with socioeconomic status and age as covariates) were conducted. RESULTS: Adaptive styles from the Defense Style Questionnaire differentiated the adolescent groups better than did the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory styles. CONCLUSION: Measurement of adaptive style by the Defense Style Questionnaire may be a useful adjunct to other measures of psychopathology and can assist in assessment of risk, treatment planning, and treatment progress.

Language: en