Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the defense mechanisms used by depressive patients and non-depressive
individuals. A sample of 60 individuals consisting of two groups was taken. One group was of 30 diagnosed
patients with depression having an equal number of men (n=15) and women (n=15) and the other was of 30
non-depressive individuals (15 men, 15 women). Seven cards were selected from the Thematic Apperception
Test (TAT) and administered on both depressive patients and non-depressive individuals. Results revealed that
depressive patients used more immature defense mechanisms, i.e projection, isolation, denial, displacement,
rationalization, somatization, dissociation and passive aggression than non-depressive individuals, who used
more mature defense mechanisms i.e sublimation, humor, anticipation and suppression than clinical patients.
No gender differences were observed in both non-depressive individuals and depressive patients on mature and
immature defense mechanisms.
