What is a potential long-term effect of consistently using Reaction Formation?

Using reaction formation as a defense mechanism can lead to strained relationships over time. Reaction formation involves unconsciously converting unwanted or dangerous thoughts, feelings, or impulses into their opposites. For example, an individual who harbors resentment may outwardly exhibit excessive kindness or affection towards the person they actually resent.

While this may provide a short-term way to manage uncomfortable emotions and maintain social harmony, the long-term effects can be detrimental. Consistently employing this mechanism can create a disconnect between one's true feelings and outward behaviors, leading to misunderstandings and confusion among friends, family, or colleagues. The facade created by reaction formation can foster mistrust if others sense that there is a lack of authenticity, ultimately resulting in strained interpersonal relationships.

In contrast, the other choices that suggest positive outcomes, such as enhanced emotional regulation, improved self-awareness, or increased confidence, do not typically arise from consistent reliance on reaction formation. Instead, these skills are more likely to develop through healthy emotional processing and authentic self-expression, which are hindered by the use of defense mechanisms like reaction formation.