Ego functions and ego development: Defense mechanisms and intelligence as predictors of ego level

This study considers the contribution of two ego functions-intelligence and defense mechanisms-to ego developmental level. Two independent assessments of ego level were related to IQ and defense mechanism use in a sample of 8 9 young adults. Whereas IQ and defense were themselves found to be unrelate d, both variables predicted ego level: The relation with IQ was linear, whe reas the relation with defense was curvilinear. In addition, the relation b etween defense and ego level varied as a function of IQ level. At low level s of IQ, stronger use of Denial and Projection was associated with higher e go levels. At high IQ levels, strong use of Denial was associated with lowe r ego levels, whereas moderate use of Projection was associated with higher ego levels.