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Journal of International Scholarship > Volume 1, Issue 2 (2026) > e011010

Making It Real: Examining the Separateness of Concretization and Defensive Styles

William E. Kelly

Abstract

Previous research and theory suggested the existence of concretization, a hypothesized defense-like cognitive-perceptual style that makes vague unpleasant psychological states more tangible. However, its measurement has relied on concretization-relevant “immature” defenses raising the possibility it merely represents immature defenses. The current study examined separateness of concretization from defensive styles. A sample of 147 undergraduate students completed measures of defensive styles concretization, and nightmare proneness, a known correlate. The results indicated that concretization incrementally accounted for unique variance in nightmare proneness above immature, neurotic, and mature defensive styles (ΔR-square = 0.138). This implies that concretization can be measured and conceptualized as somewhat distinct from immature defensive styles. Directions for future research to account for limitations and extend the current results are discussed.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Published 

July 26, 2026

Keywords

Concretization;

Defensive styles;

Nightmare proneness;

Projection;

Acting out;

Somatization;

DSQ-40