Question

The parent of a 5y/o child tells a medical assistant that the child has begun sucking her thumb. The parent states, "She hasn't done this since she was a baby." The medical assistant should identify that the child is using which of the following defense mechanisms?
a. Sublimation
b. Regression
c. Rationalization
d. Suppression

Answer 1

Answer: The medical assistant should identify that the child is using the Regression defense mechanism.

Explanation: Regression refers to a method whereby an individual act out behaviour typical of an earlier developmental stage rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adaptive way. Regression is a strategy employed in defense mechanism which is a strategy used unconsciously by individuals to cope with harmful or stressful situations.

Answer 2

Answer:

The medical assistant should identify that the child is using b. Regression as a defense mechanism.

Explanation:

Regression is the defense mechanism in which an individual temporarily "goes back" to a previous stage in life in which he/she felt more secure.

We can see that the child presents this defense mechanism by sucking her thumb, which she hasn't done since she was a baby (now she is 5 years old). She is unable to deal with her current stage in life in an adaptive way and thus chooses to go back to a previous stage.