La valutazione dei meccanismi di difesa in adolescenza mediante REM-71: proprietà psicometriche e relazione con indici di disagio psichico

The assessment of defense mechanisms in adolescents through REM-71: psychometric properties and relationship with psychological distress Objective: The author reports the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Response Evaluation Measure (REM-71; Steiner et al., 2001) a 71-item, self-administered instrument for the assessment of defense mechanisms in adults and adolescents. Method: The Italian version of REM-71 was obtained through back translations. The instrument was then administered to 1.090 nonclinical adolescents recruited voluntarily among high school students (Males: 60%, mean age: 16.09 ± 1.36; range: 13-20 years) and 178 non clinical adults (Males: 29%; mean age: 29.21 ±12.16; range: 21-68 years). All subjects filled in a simple screening measure covering demographic variables and satisfaction with life and a subgroup of the adolescent sample (N=745) also completed the Italian version of SCL-90-R. Results: The internal consistency of the questionnaire items was satisfactory. Three factors emerged from a factor analysis of the items. Single defenses and factors showed significant relations with scores on life satisfaction in various domains. Age and gender differences in defensive array were in line with those observed in the original version of the scale (Steiner et al., 2001). Immature defenses were significantly associated with psychological distress as assessed through SCL-90-R. Conclusions: The Italian version of REM-71 proved to be a reliable and useful screening instrument for the assessment of defenses in adults and adolescents.