Do Defense Mechanisms and Coping Strategies Predict Social Intelligence: A study among Adolescents

Page: 15-18
Krati Kala and Uma Mittal (Department of Psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Social Intelligence is the ability to successfully build relations and navigate social environments. Defense Mechanism refers to innate involuntary regulatory processes that allow individuals to reduce cognitive dissonance and to minimize sudden changes in internal and external environments by altering how these events are perceived. Coping Strategies are conscious efforts made by individuals to alter the environment so as to reduce stress and are generally employed when the situation is controlled. These conscious and unconscious behaviors somehow reflect the mechanisms underneath which operate to influence the adjustment of the individual in the outer environment which are detrimental for the health and happiness of an individual. Late adolescence’s stage is the transition period where one enters a new phase and has so many years ahead to establish healthy relations Therefore the present study aims to predict Social Intelligence on the basis of Defense Mechanism and coping strategies as used by 200 adolescents (100 male & 100 female) between the age ranges of 19 to 22 years. They completed a self report questionnaire of Social Intelligence (Tromso Intelligence Scale, 2001); Defense Mechanism (Defense Mechanism inventory, 2012); Coping Strategies (The ways of coping questionnaire revised, 1986). Bivariate correlation demonstrates that there is a significant positive correlation between social intelligence and turning against objects; projection; and principalization. A significant negative correlation was found between social intelligence and turning against self and reversal. Bivariate correlation between Social Intelligence and Coping Strategies showed a significant negative correlation between escape avoidance and seeking social support. Linear regression showed 43% of the variance in Social Intelligence was depicted by Defense Mechanism and Coping strategies taken together.