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Gaddin's insights are of great value when considering Meissner's work which deals with identity in terms of a defence process rather than as a defence mechanism. In this manner the author coherently develops Freud's distinction between “defensive process” and “special method of defence” or “repression” in which “defensive process” is “a general designation for all the techniques which the Ego makes use of in conflicts” (Freud 1925a, 1925b). From what we have said, a defence process could be thought of as parallel to the process of psychic structuring. I would add, furthermore, that identification seems to occupy a predominant position within this defensive and developing process, through a series of activities peculiar to the working of our mind.
A quite similar concept can be found in the papers given at the Hamburg Conference (International Journal of Psychoanalysis 1986, parts 1, 2 and 3).