Defense mechanisms and borderline personality organization among COVID-19 believers and non-believers during complete lock-down

Anna Zajenkowska; Iwona Nowakowska; Marta Bodecka-Zych; Joanna Rajchert; Izabela Kaźmierczak; Adrianna Jakubowska; Amy E Pinkham

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.700774

Defense mechanisms and borderline personality organization among COVID-19 believers and non-believers during complete lock-down

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a specific social perception of the pandemic—believing or not in COVID-19—predicts borderline personality organizations and whether this relationship is mediated by more primitive maladaptive mechanisms—splitting, denial, and dissociation. The online study included 720 organization aged 25–45. Participants were diverse in terms of place of residence, being in a relationship, and education level. Approximately 30% of the general population reported not believing in the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-believers scored slightly higher on borderline symptoms and used more maladaptive defense mechanisms than believers. Individuals who deny COVID-19 are more likely to show characteristics of borderline personality organization. Splitting is an important mechanism in this relationship.