Defenses in the context of parenting: A scoping review

This scoping review examined the relation between defenses and parenting. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, systematic searches were conducted to explore the following: how past parenting experiences shape defenses, how defenses influence adult parenting behaviors, the role of defenses in intergenerational parenting dynamics, demographic and cultural influences, and methodological approaches in this field. Eligible studies were quantitative, in English, and used longitudinal or cross-sectional designs, reporting at least one association between psychological defenses and current or past parenting experiences. A total of 26 studies published between 1989 and 2025, mainly from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic contexts, were included. Most used cross-sectional designs and self-report measures. Nine studies included parents only, 16 focused on nonparents only, and one study explored defenses in both parents and their children. Negative parenting experiences (e.g., maltreatment, rejection, overcontrol) were linked to greater use of immature defenses in adulthood, whereas positive experiences (e.g., parental warmth, care) served as protective factors. Among parents, immature defenses correlated with abusive and neglectful behaviors, whereas mature defenses were associated with positive parenting styles and cooperative coparenting. Defenses also showed a key role in the intergenerational transmission of parenting patterns, with immature defenses perpetuating negative cycles and mature defenses fostering healthier relationships. However, significant methodological challenges remain, including reliance on self-report measures and limited research on positive parenting and cross-cultural contexts. These findings highlight the crucial role of defenses in parenting and intergenerational dynamics, underscoring the need for interventions that reduce immature defenses and promote adaptive functioning to strengthen parent–child relationships and interrupt cycles of maladaptive parenting.