The Defense Mechanisms Scale (measurement tool)

The Defense Mechanisms Scale (DMS) is a psychological tool used to assess how individuals manage stress and emotional conflict through various defense mechanisms. These strategies, often subconscious, include behaviors like denial, repression, and rationalization, which help people cope with uncomfortable feelings. The DMS quantifies these mechanisms, providing insights into an individual's coping styles. By understanding someone's defensive patterns, therapists can better guide their emotional growth and resilience, contributing to effective mental health treatment. The scale serves as a means of categorizing and understanding complex human behavior in response to adversity.