A 14-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Office by His

A 14-year-old boy is brought to the office by his parents, who are worried about his reaction to their recent decision to divorce.  Despite their efforts to be supportive and engage him, he has not expressed any feelings directly about the divorce.  When the patient is evaluated alone, he shares that he feels his parents are angry with him, although he cannot think of any instances when they expressed any anger toward him.  On examination, the patient appears sullen and reports his mood is "fine."  This patient is most likely using which of the following defense mechanisms?

A) Acting out
B) Displacement
C) Identification
D) Projection
E) Reaction formation
F) Regression

Correct Answer:

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