Question

A client diagnosed with depression tells the nurse that she won't allow herself to cry, because it upsets the whole family when I cry. This is an example of:

1. manipulation.
2. insight.
3. rationalization.
4. repression.

Answer 1

The client's behavior of avoiding crying to prevent family upset is an example of rationalization, a defense mechanism where one creates plausible excuses for behaviors or feelings to make them seem acceptable.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario provided, the client diagnosed with depression is displaying a behavior that is representative of a defense mechanism. Specifically, the client's choice to avoid crying to prevent upsetting her family is an example of rationalization. Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which one creates a seemingly reasonable explanation or excuse for behaviors or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable.

This rationalization serves to justify or make tolerable one's feelings or behaviors in the face of a perceived social stigma. The client believes that showing emotions negatively impacts her family, so she justifies her choice not to express them openly as a way of maintaining family harmony, despite it possibly hindering her own emotional expression and healing process.