The interplay of epistemic trust, defensive mechanisms, interpersonal problems, and symptomatology: an empirical investigation

Epistemic trust has emerged as a promising construct in understanding psycho(patho)logical functioning. However, its interplay with other dimensions that may contribute to developing specific symptom patterns remains underexplored. This study sought to investigate how epistemic trust, mistrust, and credulity relate to relational difficulties, defense mechanisms, and psychological symptoms to enrich the comprehension of their impact on mental health. A sample of 385 Italian individuals (60 % females and 40 % males, Mage = 28.2, SDage = 9.6, 18–65 years) completed an online survey including self-report questionnaires: Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire, Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale-Self-Report-30, Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Results showed that epistemic disruptions were associated with severe interpersonal problems, more primitive defense mechanisms, and greater levels of psychopathology. Moreover, epistemic mistrust and lower defensive functioning strongly predicted higher levels of symptomatology, underscoring their detrimental effect on processes underlying mental health. These findings highlight the critical role of epistemic disruptions as risk factors for psychological distress, offering vital insights into the dynamic mechanisms underpinning mental health, as well as implications for intervention protocols and clinical practice.