Depersonalization can be a constructive emotional defense for caregivers

Evidence

Depersonalization should be distinguished from dehumanization. In the latter, others are stripped of human qualities or invested with demonic or bestial ones, whereas in the former, others are treated with emotional detachment and little regard for them as persons. Under certain conditions, some emotional detachment can serve constructive purposes. Members of the helping professions must deal day in and day out with people whose lives are full of suffering and hardships that do not lend themselves to easy solutions. For example, those who staff social welfare programs see endless lines of people ravaged by poverty, disease, and years of maltreatment and neglect. Were they to empathize fully with the suffering of their clients, they would be too overwhelmed emotionally to be able to help them. Emotionally moderated concern for other people’s suffering spares them impairing personal distress. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 618 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Moderate emotional detachment lets helpers function and serves constructive ends — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 618; Emotional detachment from others can serve constructive protective purposes — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 618; Victimization-related ego defenses can protect rather than harm mental health — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 928 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Moderate emotional detachment lets helpers function and serves constructive ends #corroborates (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 618