Final answer:
Defense mechanisms are unconscious behaviors used to maintain self-worth and reduce anxiety by distorting reality. Examples include repression and reaction formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychological mechanism employed by individuals to maintain feelings of adequacy and self-worth instead of directly coping with a stressful situation is called defense mechanisms. These unconscious behaviors help reduce anxiety by distorting reality. Some examples include repression, where overwhelming memories are blocked from consciousness; reaction formation, where individuals act opposite to their true feelings; and compensation, where individuals cover up perceived weaknesses or feelings of inferiority by emphasizing some other desirable trait.