A woman who is particularly threatened by any display of anger becomes unable to speak when she is most angry with her husband, thereby keeping the anger out of her awareness. According to psychodynamic theorists, she is achieving _____ from her illness.
A) primary gain
B) secondary gain
C) tertiary gain
D) no gain

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary gain refers to the direct internal benefits derived from symptoms of illness, such as relief from anxiety or internal conflict, which in this case is achieved by the woman becoming unable to speak and thus keeping her anger out of her awareness.

A Woman Who Is Particularly Threatened by Any Display of Anger