Denial in Psychology

 

Denial is the refusal to accept the facts about a highly distressing event. 

Clark (1991) offered this brief definition: "Rejecting responsibility for unacceptable experiences." He provided examples related to substance abuse and educational concerns (p. 232):

"I don't have a drug problem."

 "I'm improving in my grades." 

"I didn't do it."

"It didn't happen that way."

"Nobody ever told me."

Clark notes that disputing the responses can lead to stronger statements.

Despite the facts about miserable sickness and death rates, people deny the need for protection against a virus or disease. People who are often dysfunctional linked to excessive use of alcohol or other drugs can be in denial about their substance abuse or dependence. Some religious people claim healing despite the evidence of ongoing symptoms.

Denial is a Level 3 Defense Mechanism.

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John Porerelli and his research team (1998) studied denial and other defenses in children and adolescents. They found that the use of denial and projection were less in young participants in contrast to older participants who used identification.

Belchev and others (2017) studied patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They found that

"Trait use of primitive defence mechanisms significantly predicted impaired awareness of overall functioning (denial), self ‐ sufficiency in activities in daily life (ADL; denial), emotional functioning (projection), and interpersonal functioning deficits (denial, projection)."

Vos and de Haas (2007) studied denial in cancer patients. The frequency of the denial defense varied  from 4 to 47%. Not surprisingly, older patients used denial more than others did. 

References

Belchev, Z., Levy, N., Berman, I., Levinzon, H., Hoofien, D., & Gilboa, A. (2017). Psychological traits predict impaired awareness of deficits independently of neuropsychological factors in chronic traumatic brain injury. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(3), 213–234. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12134

Clark, A. J. (1991). The identification and modification of defense mechanisms in counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 69(3), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1991.tb01494.x

Porerelli, J. H., Thomas, S., Hibbard, S., & Cogan, R. (1998). Defense mechanisms development in children, adolescents, and late adolescents. Journal of Personality Assessment, 71(3), 411–420. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa7103_9

Vos, M. S., & de Haes, J. C. J. M. (2007). Denial in cancer patients, an explorative review. Psycho-Oncology, 16(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1051

Resources

A- Z List of Defense Mechanisms with descriptions

 Defense Mechanism Hierarchy- Levels and Categories

Psychotic Defense Mechanisms described

 

Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales

            Form Self-Report 30

            Q-Sort Version

 

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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