Interpersonal Decentering and Interpersonal Problems: Testing the Multi-Method Utility of Person-Situation Interactions in Thematic Apperception Tests

Abstract. Background: Little is known about presenting problems of primary posters (i.e., posters opening the thread) and their responders in nonprofessional against-suicide and pro-suicide message boards. Aims: We aimed to compare problems described in suicide message boards between different types of users (primary posters and respondents) and between against-suicide, neutral, and pro-suicide message boards. Method: In all, 1,182 archival threads with 20,499 individual postings from seven nonprofessional suicide message boards supporting an against-suicide, neutral, or pro-suicide attitude were randomly selected. Problems mentioned by primary posters and their respondents were coded with content analysis. Differences between pro-suicide, neutral, and against suicide boards, as well as correlations between primary posters and respondents, were calculated. Results: Interpersonal problems were most frequently mentioned by primary posters in against-suicide threads (40.9%) and less frequently in pro-suicide threads (11.8%; p < .001). In pro-suicide boards, the most frequent stressors were suicide method-related (e.g., how to identify a safe method: 26.2% vs. 2.5% in against-suicide boards, p < .001). Primary posters resembled respondents in terms of presenting problems in pro-suicide boards, but not in against-suicide boards. Limitations: Only self-reported problems were assessed. Conclusion: The results confirm a stronger focus on death than on life among users in pro-suicide message boards, and posters with similar problems meet in pro-suicide boards. The posters appear to clearly emphasize social strains over psychiatric problems compared with some professional settings.

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External Validity of SCORS-G Ratings of Thematic Apperception Test Narratives in a Sample of Outpatients and Inpatients

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000057 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 58-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michelle B. Stein ◽

Jenelle Slavin-Mulford ◽

Caleb J. Siefert ◽

Samuel Justin Sinclair ◽

Michaela Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Psychiatric Hospitalization ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Thematic Apperception Test ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Conduct Disordered ◽

Global Ratings ◽

Thematic Apperception ◽

History Of

Abstract. The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global Ratings Method (SCORS-G; Stein, Hilsenroth, Slavin-Mulford, & Pinsker-Aspen, 2011 ) is a reliable system for coding narrative data, such as Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) stories. This study employs a cross-sectional, correlational design to examine associations between SCORS-G dimensions and life events in two clinical samples. Samples were composed of 177 outpatients and 57 inpatients who completed TAT protocols as part of routine clinical care. Two experienced raters coded narratives with the SCORS-G. Data on the following clinically relevant life events were collected: history of psychiatric hospitalization, suicidality, self-harming behavior, drug/alcohol abuse, conduct-disordered behavior, trauma, and education level. As expected, the clinical life event variable associated with the largest number of SCORS-G dimensions was Suicidality. Identity and Coherence of Self was related to self-harm history across samples. Emotional Investment in Relationships and Complexity of Representations were also associated with several life events. Clinical applications, limitations of the study, and future directions are reviewed.

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Personal Problem Solving of Partners in Divorce Proceedings

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000053 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 82-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tereza Soukupova ◽

Petr Goldmann

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Thematic Apperception Test ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Personal Control ◽

Personality Characteristics ◽

Personal Problem ◽

Thematic Apperception ◽

And Gender ◽

The Given

Abstract. The Thematic Apperception Test is one of the most frequently administered apperceptive techniques. Formal scoring systems are helpful in evaluating story responses. TAT stories, made by 20 males and 20 females in the situation of legal divorce proceedings, were coded for detection and comparison of their personal problem solving ability. The evaluating instrument utilized was the Personal Problem Solving System-Revised (PPSS-R) as developed by G. F. Ronan. The results indicate that in relation to card 1, men more often than women saw the cause of the problem as removable. With card 6GF, women were more motivated to resolve the given problem than were men, women had a higher personal control and their stories contained more optimism compared to men’s stories. In relation to card 6BM women, more often than men, used emotions generated from the problem to orient themselves within the problem. With card 13MF, the men’s level of stress was less compared to that of the women, and men were more able to plan within the context of problem-solving. Significant differences in the examined groups were found in those cards which depicted significant gender and parental potentials. The TAT can be used to help identify personality characteristics and gender differences.

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Differential Performance of Professional Dancers to the Music Apperception Test and the Thematic Apperception Test

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000098 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 20-49

Author(s):

Leland van den Daele ◽

Ashley Yates ◽

Sharon Rae Jenkins

Keyword(s):

Visual Processing ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Thematic Apperception Test ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Basic Emotions ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Thematic Apperception ◽

Professional Dancers ◽

Visually Based ◽

Modality Preference

Abstract. This project compared the relative performance of professional dancers and nondancers on the Music Apperception Test (MAT; van den Daele, 2014 ), then compared dancers’ performance on the MAT with that on the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943 ). The MAT asks respondents to “tell a story to the music” in compositions written to represent basic emotions. Dancers had significantly shorter response latency and were more fluent in storytelling than a comparison group matched for gender and age. Criterion-based evaluation of dancers’ narratives found narrative emotion consistent with music written to portray the emotion, with the majority integrating movement, sensation, and imagery. Approximately half the dancers were significantly more fluent on the MAT than the TAT, while the other half were significantly more fluent on the TAT than the MAT. Dancers who were more fluent on the MAT had a higher proportion of narratives that integrated movement and imagery compared with those more fluent on the TAT. The results were interpreted as consistent with differences observed in neurological studies of auditory and visual processing, educational studies of modality preference, and the cognitive style literature. The MAT provides an assessment tool to complement visually based performance tests in personality appraisal.

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