The longterm objective of this grant proposal is to understand age- related differences in defense mechanism use.
The specific aims for this pilot research are: 1) to explore further defense mechanism coder reliability; 2) to describe age-related differences in defense mechanism use; and 3) to assess the similarity of age-grouped defense profiles to the mature defense profile proposed by Vaillant (1977). Archived interview videotapes from an age-and-gender-stratified, population-based sample of normal cells will be used to meet these aims. The observationally-based Defense-Q has adequate reliability and validity to suggest that it overcomes some of the limitations of previous defense assessment instruments (Davidson & MacGregor, 1996; Davidson et al., 1997); Perry & Iannis, in press), and it will be used by three coders to collect defense profile information, and test for age-related differences in defense profile. This research will then contribute to the understanding of age-related differences in defense mechanism use, and will serve as pilot data for a future grant proposal to better understand the relation between defense use and health for differing age groups.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03AG015612-01
Application #
2632640
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAG1-DAG-8 (J9))
Project Start
1998-05-01
Project End
1999-04-30
Budget Start
1998-05-01
Budget End
1999-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Tuscaloosa
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35487