Final answer:
An overreliance on defense mechanisms is traditionally viewed as maladaptive and unhealthy. Overuse can lead to neurosis and avoids resolving underlying issues. It is healthier to engage in problem-focused or emotion-focused coping strategies. option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
An overreliance on defense mechanisms to reduce pressure and maintain self-esteem is traditionally viewed as c) Maladaptive and unhealthy. This behavior is reflective of one's inability to cope effectively with stressors or internal conflicts. When an individual uses defense mechanisms to an excessive degree, it often distorts reality and avoids confronting or resolving underlying issues. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory posits that while everyone uses defense mechanisms, their overuse can lead to neuroses or anxiety disorders, representing an imbalance in the personality.
The function of defense mechanisms is to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety. However, when these mechanisms become a person's primary method of coping with stress, they can interfere with problem-solving and emotional growth. It is important to find healthier coping strategies, such as problem-focused coping or emotion-focused coping, which address either the stressor itself or the emotional response to the stressor, respectively.
Additionally, confidence in one's own abilities is known as self-efficacy, not to be confused with self-esteem, self-concept, or self-control. A strong sense of self-efficacy can contribute to healthier coping strategies and overall well-being.