Defense mechanisms in cancer patients: a systematic review

The importance of defense mechanisms in cancer progression and adaptation have been largely observed. However, few studies referred to the generally accepted hierarchical organization of defenses and used validated measurements for defensive assessment. In this systematic review, we investigated the whole hierarchy of defense mechanisms and how they associate with various psychological aspects in cancer patients.A literature search was conducted using electronic databases. Among 1570 records published from 1990 to date, only 15 articles met inclusion criteria.
Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Review article Source Type: research