Introduction: Nursing students directly or indirectly face many stressful situations which play an important role in the acquisition of professional abilities. This study aimed to identify the relationship between emotional regulation strategies and self–reported ego defence styles among nursing students at selected college of Hyderabad. 

Methods: Subjects of this study included 32 nursing students. Data was collected by using the Defence Style Questionnaire 40’’ (DSQ-40), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).

Results: The findings showed that, there was positive significant correlation between ego defence mechanism and emotional regulation strategies.

Conclusion: Emotional regulation might be improved through utilizing adaptive defence styles in order to prepare nursing students to fulfil their experiences more effectively.

Keywords: Defence Mechanisms; Emotional Strategies; Nursing Interns.