Defense Mechanisms and Attachment as Predictors of Pathological Personality Traits in the ICD-11 Personality Disorder Model

Background: Understanding the interplay between defense mechanisms and attachment insecurity is crucial for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of personality disorders and their associated maladaptive personality traits (MPTs). Although prior research has demonstrated the association between defense mechanisms and personality pathology, as well as the predictive role of attachment insecurity in maladaptive traits, studies addressing these relationships within the framework of the ICD-11 personality disorder model remain scarce. The ICD-11’s dimensional approach to personality pathology offers an opportunity to explore the unique and combined contributions of these factors to MPTs.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 participants (% male, aged 19-60 years) recruited via snowball sampling and social media. Participants completed the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) scale, the Level of Personality Functioning Scale – Brief Form and PiCD, a measure of maladaptive personality traits consistent with the ICD-11 model. Regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between defense mechanisms, attachment insecurity, and MPTs, controlling for demographic variables. Moderation analyses tested the role of personality functioning severity in these relationships.
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