Forcing painful ideas or impulses into the subconscious is known as:

Repression refers to the psychological mechanism by which an individual unconsciously pushes distressing thoughts, feelings, or memories out of their conscious awareness, thereby preventing them from causing emotional discomfort. This process allows individuals to manage anxiety or stress associated with these painful ideas or impulses without confronting them directly.

Repression serves as a protective strategy, as it helps maintain emotional stability by keeping troubling experiences or feelings hidden from conscious thought. It is essential for mental well-being, as it can function as a coping mechanism when faced with overwhelming or distressing situations. In contrast, the other concepts like regression, projection, and compensation involve different mental processes, such as reverting to earlier behaviors, attributing one's own undesirable thoughts to others, or seeking to balance perceived deficiencies, respectively. Understanding repression helps in recognizing how the mind can shield itself from the full impact of negative experiences, contributing to emotional health management.