Features of Psychological Defense Mechanisms in Male Adolescents, Prone to Xenophobia

The article presents the results of the study on protective behaviors among adolescents, prone to xenophobia. The aim of the study was to identify the features of psychological defenses and coping strategies in male adolescents who are prone to xenophobia. It was hypothesized that the primitive forms of psychological defense and unproductive forms of coping behavior dominate in adolescent boys, prone to xenophobia. The study included 67 male adolescents, students of secondary schools. The average age of subjects was 15 years old, and ranged from 14 to 16 years. At the initial stage of the study the whole sample was divided into two groups (based on the results of the questionnaire), differing in the level of expression of xenophobia: a group of 32 subjects with pronounced tendency to xenophobia and a group of 35 adolescents with no inclination to xenophobia. The results indicate a higher intensity of the psychological defense in subjects prone to xenophobia. Significant differences were shown in the use of projection and intellectualization, which are more pronounced among adolescents who are prone to xenophobia. Projection allows them to blame another object for their shortcomings or failures and a more mature defense - intellectualization, is manifested in pseudo-explanations of motives for such behavior, beliefs and actions with the aim of self-justification. There were no significant differences among groups in the forms of coping behavior.