ABSTRACT. From a psychological point of view, defensive denial was considered to be an immature defence mechanism, putting them together in terms of maturity being based on their success in blocking the id. A defensive mechanism that has proven its effectiveness in reducing stress will be used predominantly later, even if it is of lower cognitive complexity, because a subject resorts to defensive mechanisms that are effective for him. Patients with bone trauma, hospitalized in the orthopaedic department, predominantly resort to defensive denial as a cognitive defence mechanism, a very effective coping strategy in confronting traumatic situations, which aims to evade the mental representation of the trauma. When the trauma is chronic, as in the case of heart patients, denial is ineffective or useless, because the internal representation of the trauma has occurred. By positively reevaluating the situation and offering a coherent argumentative construction, the heart patient manages to create inner comfort, which represents a positive reinforcement of the subsequent use of rationalization.

Keywords: coping styles; orthopaedic patients; cardiac patients; cognitive defence mechanisms; trauma representations; psychological changes

How to cite: Nica, S., Cosman, D. (2024). “Coping in Somatic Disorders,” Romanian Journal of Artistic Creativity 12(4): 77-88. doi: 10.22381/RJAC12420246

Received 20 November 2024 • Received in revised form 10 December 2024
Accepted 20 December 2024 • Available online 31 December 2024