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Heavy Study Investment: An Analysis of the Defense Mechanisms Characterizing Studyholism and Study Engagement

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  • Yura Loscalzo

    (Department of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy)

  • Marco Giannini

    (Department of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Defense mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect a person from excessive anxiety. They are part of everyday functioning, and mature defenses are associated with positive outcomes. However, the excessive use of defenses or the use of immature defenses is associated with psychopathology. The present study aims to analyze the defense mechanisms that characterize two types of heavy study investment: Studyholism and Study Engagement. We performed a path analysis, MANOVAs, and binary logistic regressions on 422 Italian college students ( M age = 22.56 ± 2.87; 63.5% females). Among the main findings, the strongest (and positive) predictor of Studyholism is regression (maladaptive defense), while for Study Engagement, it is task-orientation (adaptive defense). Hence, Studyholism might be defined as a new potential clinical condition. Additionally, a critical analysis of all the defense mechanisms predicting Studyholism supports the appropriateness of the OCD-related framework for conceptualizing Studyholism. Regarding Study Engagement, even if generally associated with a positive defense style, the finding that it is positively predicted by projection confirms previous studies suggesting that, for some students, it might constitute a coping strategy with paranoid symptoms (and social anxiety and anxiety). Hence, we recommend screening engaged students for social impairment and clinically relevant symptoms that might be hidden by hard studying.

Suggested Citation

  • Yura Loscalzo & Marco Giannini, 2022. "Heavy Study Investment: An Analysis of the Defense Mechanisms Characterizing Studyholism and Study Engagement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9413-:d:877479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yura Loscalzo & Marco Giannini, 2020. "Heavy Work Investment and Psychopathology: Internalizing and Externalizing Disorders as Antecedents and Outcomes," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(Special 1), pages 1301-1301, November.
    2. Yura Loscalzo & Marco Giannini, 2019. "Study Engagement in Italian University Students: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale—Student Version," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(2), pages 845-854, April.
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