Question

A nurse is caring for a 23 year old client with schizophrenia. When the patient's father show up during visitation hours, the client lies down in bed, curls up in a ball, and sucks his thumb. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client exhibiting?

A. undoing
B. Regression
C. Altruism
D. Displacement

Answer 1

The behavior of the client with schizophrenia represents the defense mechanism called regression, where they revert to child-like behaviors in response to anxiety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 23-year-old client with schizophrenia who curls up in a ball and sucks his thumb when his father visits is exhibiting the defense mechanism known as regression. Regression is an ego defense mechanism in which a person faced with anxiety reverts to behavior characteristic of an earlier stage of development. In this case, the client's actions resemble behaviors typical of a much younger child, which provides a temporary escape from the stressful situation.