What defense mechanism involves recognizing a problem yet choosing not to engage with it?

Suppression is a defense mechanism where an individual consciously decides to avoid engaging with a problem or emotional conflict. Unlike denial, where a person may refuse to accept the reality of a situation entirely, suppression involves acknowledging the existence of the problem but intentionally choosing to set it aside and not deal with it at that moment. This often happens in an effort to manage anxiety or stress, allowing a person to focus on other areas of their life without confronting the difficulty at hand.

In contrast, denial minimizes or outright disregards the reality of the issue. Repression, on the other hand, operates at a subconscious level where a person is not aware of the problem or feeling they are pushing away. Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto someone else, which does not align with the idea of recognizing a problem but choosing not to confront it. Thus, suppression is correctly identified as the mechanism that entails acknowledging a problem while deciding not to engage with it directly.