Assessing Defense Mechanisms in Binge-Eating Disorder: Preliminary Validity and Reliability of the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) Coded From Adult Attachment Interviews

We assessed the reliability and validity of the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) when used with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and compared defensive functioning among women with and without binge-eating disorder (BED). Participants were women with BED (n = 101), overweight/obese women without BED (n = 47), and normal weight women without BED (n = 49). Participants completed the AAI, and self-report measures of interpersonal distress, reflective functioning, and attachment insecurity. Coders rated the DMRS and reflective functioning from AAI transcripts. We found acceptable interrater reliability on the DMRS; significant correlations between the DMRS and interpersonal distress, reflective functioning, and attachment insecurity; and significantly lower defensive functioning among women with BED compared to normal weight women without BED. The DMRS is reliable and valid when rated from AAI transcripts. BED is associated with lower defensive functioning. Further research on defensive functioning in BED may lead to better treatment outcomes. 我们评估了防御机制评定量表(DMRS)与成人依恋访谈(AAI)一起使用时的信度和效度,并比较了有暴食症(BED)和没有暴食症的女性的防御功能。受试者是患有BED的女性(n = 101),没有BED的超重/肥胖女性(n = 47)以及没有BED的正常体重女性(n = 49)。参与者完成了AAI,并自我报告了人际痛苦、反思功能和不安全依恋的测量。编码人员对AAI记录的DMRS和反思功能进行了评级。我们在DMRS上发现了可接受的评分者间的信度;DMRS和人际痛苦、反思功能和不安全依恋之间的显著相关性;以及与没有BED的正常体重女性相比,BED女性的防御功能显著降低。当从AAI记录评级时,DMRS是可靠而有效的。BED与较低的防御功能有关。对BED防御功能的进一步研究可能会带来更好的治疗效果。