Repression-sensitization and measures of adjustment

Sixty undergraduate university students participated in a study of the relationship between repression-sensitization and selected measures of adjustment, namely, degree of conflict, self-esteem, alienation, anomy, and locus of control. Results indicated that sensitizers tend to report lower levels of self-esteem; greater alienation, anomy, and conflict; and externality. Further analyses identified alienation and particularly self-esteem as best predictors of defensive orientation.