The Defense Mechanism Inventory and Alcoholics

Abstract

The utility of the Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI) with alcoholic patients was evaluated by reviewing previous research and presenting new data concerning the test characteristics and the relationships between the DMI and various demographic, cognitive, and personality variables. In general, the defense mechansims of projection and turning against others was associated with greater anxiety, depression, and psychopathology. Utilization of the mechanisms of intellectualization and denial were related to lower levels of psychopathology. The construct validity of the DMI was questioned in view of the results obtained, and the utility of the measure for the prediction of treatment response of alcholics was discussed.