A woman who attends a stress management group reveals to group members that though she recently divorced, she continues to care for her husband's aging parents. Which psychological mechanism should the nurse address in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale: Altruism involves addressing one's own needs through meeting the needs of others, and caring for the husband's aging parents is an example of this coping mechanism. Choice B rationale: Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development, which is not evident in the scenario. Choice C rationale: Compartmentalization is the defense mechanism of separating conflicting thoughts or feelings, which is not clearly identified in the scenario. Choice D rationale: Egocentrism involves seeing the world from only one's own perspective, which is not the primary issue in the scenario.