Features of Psychological Defense Mechanisms of Subjects of Envy

The paper presents the results of an empirical study aimed at identifying the mechanisms of psychological defense of subjects of envy. The subject of envy most frequently uses such psychological defense mechanisms as repression, regression, compensation, projection and substitution. It is revealed that the structure of psychological defense of envious and non-envious subjects have significant differences. In subjects with a low level of envy, the structure is characterized by lability and uniformity in the use of all defense mechanisms (all mechanisms of psychological defense are interconnected). In subjects with a high level of envy, the structure of psychological protection has a smaller number of relationships and a lower level of their significance, which may indicate its deformation. The “core” of the psychological defense of the subject of envy is formed by interrelated psychological mechanisms of repression, compensation and intellectualization / rationalization. It is shown that envy not only activates the defense mechanisms protecting the person from becoming aware of the envy and sustaining a positive image of the Self, but also deforms the structure of psychological defense.