A 6-year-old admitted to the hospital resumes thumb-sucking after a 2-year absence. This behavior demonstrates which defense mechanism?

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Study for the California Psychiatric Technician Board Psychiatric Nursing Exam with interactive quizzes. Prepare with multiple choice questions, comprehensive explanations, and essential tips for success. Elevate your confidence and readiness for the exam!

Multiple Choice

A 6-year-old admitted to the hospital resumes thumb-sucking after a 2-year absence. This behavior demonstrates which defense mechanism?

Explanation:
Regression is when a person reverts to earlier developmental behaviors to cope with stress. In a 6-year-old, resuming thumb-sucking after a 2-year gap during hospitalization shows slipping back to a toddler-level self-soothing mechanism to manage anxiety. This differs from displacement (shifting feelings to a safer target), projection (attributing one’s own impulses to others), or rationalization (providing logical excuses for behaviors).

Regression is when a person reverts to earlier developmental behaviors to cope with stress. In a 6-year-old, resuming thumb-sucking after a 2-year gap during hospitalization shows slipping back to a toddler-level self-soothing mechanism to manage anxiety. This differs from displacement (shifting feelings to a safer target), projection (attributing one’s own impulses to others), or rationalization (providing logical excuses for behaviors).

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