Question

Stacey is almost 3 years old and is recently potty trained. Her parents just welcomed a new baby into their home, and Stacey not only begins to go to bathroom in diapers again, but also starts sucking her thumb. Which defense mechanism is Stacey displaying?

Answer 1

The answer is regression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Under this defense mechanism, people go back to an early stage in their development, as a sort of escape route. This is especially common in children, and some of the manifestations are sucking their thumb or wetting the bed.

This mechanism can also be present in adults, and is usually manifested through some fidgeting activities (chewing pens, biting their nails).