Elaine is making use of the defense mechanism of displacement.
Displacement as a defense mechanism can be defined as the way in which a person tend to transfer or redirect their anger from the person in which they are supposed to be angry with to another person.
Based on the given scenario Elaine is making us of displacement defense mechanism because she did to talk to her friend directly rather she is redirect are anger to another person.
Inconclusion Elaine is making use of the defense mechanism of displacement.
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