User:Anderson268/Compartmentalization (psychology)

Compartmentalization is a form of psychological defense mechanism in which thoughts and feelings that seem to conflict are kept separated or isolated from each other in the mind. ' Those with post traumatic stress disorder may use compartmentalization to separate positive and negative self aspects. ' It may be a form of mild dissociation; example scenarios that suggest compartmentalization include acting in an isolated moment in a way that logically defies one's own moral code, or dividing one's unpleasant work duties from one's desires to relax.

Vulnerability[edit]
' Compartmentalization can be positive, negative, and integrated depending on the context and person.  ' Compartmentalization may lead to hidden vulnerabilities related to self-organization and self-esteem in those who use it as a major defense mechanism.  When a negative self-aspect is activated, it may cause a drop in self-esteem and mood. This drop in self-esteem and mood is what the observed vulnerability is attributed to. 

PTSD and Compartmentalization
' Those who have PTSD often compartmentalize positive and negative self-aspects more than those without PTSD; this helps keep the negative self-aspects from overtaking the positive self-aspects. Positive self-concept can be kept safe through the use compartmentalization, specifically for those who have experienced sexual trauma and have, subsequently, been diagnosed with PTSD. '

Mindfulness and Compartmentalization
''' Mindfulness meditation may help reduce compartmentalized self-knowledge. Also, those who have greater trait mindfulness may have less negative self-concepts about themselves. '''

References[edit]

 * 1) ^ Thomas, J. S., Ditzfeld, C. P., & Showers, C. J, Compartmentalization: A window on the defensive self (2013) p. 719-731
 * 2) Clifford, G., Hitchcock, C., & Dalgleish, T. (2020). Compartmentalization of self-representations in female survivors of sexual abuse and assault, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological Medicine, 50(6), 956-963. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719000837
 * 3) Dummel, S., & Stahl, J. (2019). Mindfulness and the evaluative organization of self-knowledge. Mindfulness, 10(2), 352-365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0980-6