THE APPLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSES BY THE FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS IN THE PROCESS OF EXPERIENCING THE CRISES

The successful adaptation of first-year students to the educational process is one of the priority tasks in the system of modern education. The study identified that various intensity of experiencing crisis is typical for the first-year students. In the process of experiencing the crises, the crisis identity can form, which reflects the misbalance of stability and tolerance of a personality and has manifestations in various aspects: behavioral, emotional, interpersonal, family, etc. To overcome heavy stress conditions including crisis, various resources are used, one of which is the psychological defenses. The analysis of the correlation of psychological defenses and crises experienced by the first-year students is important today. 222 first-year students (56 male and 166 female) from Novosibirsk participated in the study. The average age of the study participants was 18.3±1.1 years. The results of the study allow concluding that the high intensity of such psychological defenses as projection, compensation, intellectualization, regression, reaction formation and general tension of psychological defenses are typical for the first-year students. The substitution dominates among medium intensity defenses. Psychological defenses, such as projection, regression, and substitution positively correlate practically with all types of crises typical for students, and almost with all indicators of a crisis identity. All these types of psychological defense can be attributed to inefficient defenses with a low and medium degree of constructiveness. The results of the study can be used by psychologists for the appropriate psychological support of the students.