Assessment of the NEO-PI-3 for Measuring Defense Mechanism Presentation

Psychologists appear to be limiting their services due to reductions in reimbursement rates from insurance providers, as well as insurer-instituted mandates to obtain preauthorization on specified diagnostic psychological tests. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) when interpreted using the Defense Mechanism Manual (TAT/DMM) can reveal certain defense mechanisms, an insight which could guide the therapeutic process. However, the time needed to administer and interpret this instrument properly is considerable when compared to alternative assessments like the NEO-PI-3. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the NEO-PI-3 could serve as an equivalent alternative to the TAT/DMM approach to clinical assessment by examining the degree to which the 5 NEO-PI-3 domain scores correlated with criterion scoring for the 3 TAT/DMM defense mechanisms. The correlational design employed bivariate correlations and regression analyses of data obtained from 59 adult participants who were administered both the NEO-PI-3 and TAT/DMM. Only 1 significant bivariate association was observed that linked TAT/DMM Identification with Openness to Experience, accounting for 9% of the explained variance in TAT/DMM scores. These results indicate that the NEO-PI-3 may not be an effective substitute for a TAT/DMM assessment. These findings provide a basis for an expanded study to determine if the inclusion of demographic variables impacts the relationships between the instruments. The results of this study may also positively influence social change by providing a different perspective into defense mechanism research, by providing a different research view of this understudied construct, and by assisting clinicians in selecting appropriate assessment instruments.