Defensive strategies in a big obese group [MECCANISMI DI DIFESA IN UN GRUPPO DI PERSONE CON OBESITA']

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to explore thè defense mechanisms of people with moderate and severe obesity. In fact, thè defensive structure is an effective predictor for thè best management of thè disease. Methods. 204 people (164 F-40 M) bave been recruited: 40 with BMI between 30 and 34.9, with moderate obesity, 36 with BMI between 35 and 39.9, with severe obesity, and 128 with BMI>40, with serious obesity, ali of them pertaining to thè clinic for obesity treatment at University Hospital of Palermo. Ali subjects were administered thè Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI), a type of reactive that explores defense mechanisms. The psychiatric comorbidity was excluded by thè DSM (SCIDI and II).semi-structured interview. Resiilts. The DMI profile of thè group of obese people is significantly different from normative people. In fact, thè obese group uses a typically defensive pattern that leads to a faulty management of aggressiveness, either transformed into its opposite (conflict denial-avoidance, thè inability to tolerate negative emotions) or redirected towards themselves (low self-esteem, self-devaluation and idealization of others). Age factors, sex and degree of obesity affect thè defensive shape. Discussion and conclusion. The exploration of thè defense mechanisms in our group of obese people provides some important guidelines for treatment strategies.The prevailing use, in fact, of some specific defensive patterns is both a significant predictor of thè person's inability to adhere to thè cure and, consequently, of thè need to introduce treatment aids which, in some way, can bypass thè subject's compliance.