Prediction of Self- Destructiveness based on Perceived Stress, Brain-behavioral Systems and Defense Styles

The aim of the present study was to predict self- destructiveness based on perceived stress, brain-behavioral systems and defense styles. The population was the students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in the academic year ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸; through convenience sampling method, ۱۵۰ completed questionnaires were analyzed. The design was correlational. chronic self- destructiveness scales (CSDS), perceived stress scale (PSS), behavioral inhibition-activation systems scale (BIS/BAS) and defense styles (DSQ) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient as well as stepwise regression. The results showed that there was a relationship between self-destructiveness and perceived stress (p≤.۰۱), punishment sensitivity (p≤.۰۰۱), reward responsiveness (p≤.۰۵), drive (p≤.۰۱), and fun seeking (p≤.۰۱). Immature defense style (p≤.۰۱) and neurotic defense style (p≤.۰۱) have a relationship. Moreover, the regression analysis revealed that fun seeking (R۲=.۳۳), reward sensitivity (R۲=.۲۶), driving (R۲=.۲۳), neurotic defense styles (R۲=.۱۷), immature defense styles (R۲=.۱۱) and punishment sensitivity (R۲=.۱۱) could predict self- destructiveness. In conclusion, it can be said that perceived stress is in dynamic relationship with brain-behavioral systems and defense styles can predict self- destructiveness. Punishment sensitivity among brain-behavioral systems, and immature defense styles among the defense styles, were most strongly associated with self-destructiveness.

Keywords:

Brain-behavioral system , defense styles , Perceived stress , Self- Destructiveness