Relationship between Religious Orientation and Defense Mechanisms in Adolescents

The present study investigate the relationship between adolescents’ religious orientation and defense mechanisms. Research method was correlation two following tests were applied: Azerbaijani Religious Orientation Test and Martin Defense Mechanism Test. 200 female students selected randomly from one of the Tehran high schools and completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results that there is a negative correlation between unimproved defense style and religious orientation, that is, the more one is highly religious-oriented, the less uses the mentioned style. Moreover there is a positive correlation between improved defense style and religious orientation. This means that the more one is highly religious- oriented, the more uses more improved defense mechanisms. Based on the findings we conclude that by increasing religious beliefs in adolescents, we can help them apply defense mechanisms efficiently.