Validation of the Comprehensive Assessment of Defense Style (CADS): Mothers' and children's responses to the stresses of missile attacks

This study furthers the validation of the Comprehensive Assessment of Defen se Style (CADS) as a measure of children's defensive behavior. Participants were 81 mothers who assessed the defense style (CADS) of their 8- to 10-ye ar-old children, as well as their own defense style and level of object rel ations. Five years earlier, the mothers had rated their children's symptom level and personality after the missile attacks during the Gulf War. The or iginal factor structure of the CADS was replicated for the most part. Self- oriented and other-oriented defenses were related to the children's early p ersonality and symptomatic reaction, as well as to their mother's defense s tyle and level of object relations. The CADS factors correlated with the de fenses of the Defense Mechanisms Manual. The results provide further valida tion of the CADS and suggest possible areas of implementation, such as long itudinal examination of defenses, psychopathology screening, and therapeuti c improvement.