Self-esteem and defense mechanisms in abused adolescent girls

Abstract

Objective This study examined self-esteem, defense styles and compared between higher and lower self-esteem groups in abused adolescent girls.

Materials and methods Subjects were 147 girls, institute ordered by Child Protection Act in two governmental shelters, age 12 to 18 with a history of childabused answered self -reported questionnaires assessing education, family atmosphere, relationship to parent, self esteem (FSC Thai version) and defense mechanism organization
(DSQ Thai version).

Results Mean age of the group was 15.4 (SD = 1.5) and 56.5 % were studying in secondary school. The family atmosphere and relationship with mother significantly correlated to self-esteem among abused adolescent girls. Adolescents who reporting higher self-esteem used more sublimation, while those with lower self-esteem showed more immature defense styles, and used more projection, acting out and displacement than the other group.

Conclusion There was significant correlation between family atmosphere, relationship with mother, defense styles, and self-esteem in abused adolescent girls. The results may lead to further research and treatment programs for enhancing self esteem and resiliency in abused children.