Rorschach and suicide-theories: A preliminary study in young women

IntroductionThe accuracy of the Rorschach Test in identifying the pathway to suicide is still controversial, though it can help for a better understanding of the functioning of suicidal minds.ObjectivesTo investigate whether Rorschach indexes fit major suicidal models.AimsTo evaluate whether Schneidman's psychache theory (1993), Baumeister's thought deconstruction model (1990) and Maltsberger's affect deluge model (2003) fit with Rorschach test indexes.MethodsThree young women hospitalised for near-lethal suicide- attempts were analysed through the Rorschach test by trained researchers using the Exner Comprehensive System. The Concept of the Object Scale on the Rorschach (COR) and the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale (MOA) were used for a systematic assessment of object relations and as index of interpersonal relationship capacities respectively.ResultsAll the tests are scarce. All patients rejected Table 9.Patient 1: L = 1.4, EB=3:0, X- index = 0.25, M- = 2, EA=3; X+% = 0.58; P=3; Zd = −1.5; Afr =0.2;Ego index = 0.5 sR=1 and S-CON = 9. COR: poor differentiation, articulation and integration and MOA level 2.Patient 2 : L = 1.5; CDI +; EB = 2:0; Afr = 0.37. Ego index 0.3; EA = 2 ; S-CON = 8. COR = good differentiation and integration, though a poor articulation of the object, MOA level of 2.Patient 3: L = 1.42; Ag=0, COP = 0; S-CON = 8; MOR = 2; Afr = 0.41, SumC’ = 1; CDI +; FM = 2, m = 1, M = 1. COR: scarce differentiation, severely impaired articulation and integration of the object, MOA = level 6.ConclusionsPatient 1's Rorschach test suggests Baumeister's model; patient 2's test Maltsberger's model and patient 3's test Schneidman model.

Correlation Between the Rorschach Test Coded and Interpreted According to the Comprehensive Exner System and the Eysenck Personality Inventory

The relationships between the Rorschach test and the self-reported personality questionnaires are an important and unresolved issue in confirming structural and clinical hypotheses. In a sample of healthy volunteers (n = 47) we conducted a study to investigate the correlation between the Italian version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Eysenck Personality Inventory, EPI) and some selected Rorschach variables defined according to the Exner Comprehensive System. The results showed that the Extroversion Scale of the EPI corresponds with the calculated difference between the Human Movement responses and the Weighted Sum of the Color response (M-WSumC, r = –.42, p < .01), the Weighted Sum of Color responses (WSumC, r = .40, p < .01) as a single variable, and the Sum of Shading responses (SumShd, r = .29, p < .05), but had no relationship with the Human Movement responses. None of the hypothesized Rorschach variables showed a significant correlation with the Neuroticism scale of the EPI. Furthermore, the Psychoticism scale of the EPI was negatively correlated with the Rorschach index Zsum (r –.33, p < .05). Finally, the comparison between the subgroups defined by the Erlebnistypus categories showed that Rorschach Extratensive subjects scored higher on the Extroversion scale of the EPI than Introversive (Mann-Whitney U = 30.5, p < .01) or Ambitent subjects (Mann-Whitney U = 76, p < .01). These results indicate that Rorschach’s concept of Erlebnistypus as a holistic dimension and Eysenck’s construct of Extroversion-Introversion are sufficiently homogeneous for psychometric assessment, but the single determinants of Rorschach responses have no correspondence with the EPI scores.

The Status of Exner's Comprehensive System in Contemporary Research

Is the Exner Comprehensive System the most frequently used method or approach to Rorschach analysis? In addition to the existing literature on assessment practices, the results of a citation analysis of the PsycLIT database confirms that the Exner system is the most widely used method in research.

Coding and Interpreting Movement on the Rorschach

A survey was conducted to help beginning Rorschach students using the Exner Comprehensive System determine whether to code movement for nouns whose dictionary definitions included movement. A survey form listed 23 of these words, each followed by three options: Active?, Passive?, and No Movement? Results were disappointing because the participants (26 Rorschach experts and 19 students) failed to reach agreement (75% or more) for 15 of these “synopsis nouns.” A literature review on coding and interpreting movement responses led to the conclusion that a client efficiently using synopsis nouns most likely displays a higher cognitive functioning or life complexity than a client who uses several simple words to describe the same percept. Therefore, many of these words should be coded as movement if the examiner is convinced that the client intends to communicate movement. Guidelines supporting a decision to code a noun for movement are suggested.

A Rorschach Analysis of Violent Murderers and Nonviolent Offenders

The study was designed to compare the Rorschach protocols of violent murderers with nonviolent offenders. A total of 46 convicted male felons, that is, 23 violent murderers and 23 nonviolent offenders with a mean age of 34.43 and 32.48, respectively, participated in the study. Each subject was administered a Rorschach utilizing the Exner Comprehensive System for administration, scoring, and interpretation. The two groups differed at a .01 level of significance on 7 of the 22 variables that were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. The violent murderers had a greater distortion of perceptual accuracy and cognitive mediation. In addition, they demonstrated a higher potential for impulsivity and vulnerability to stress. Both groups had a high frequency of ambitents, T-less protocols, and difficulty with emotional modulation. Although these findings should be viewed as tentative, they provide some initial information on the differences between the groups. Further study will be needed to replicate and extend the results.

Effects of Learned Helplessness on Rorschach Responses

The present study investigated the relationship between the laboratory experience of learned helplessness and depressive responses on the Rorschach. 50 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either a learned-helplessness or nonlearned-helplessness condition. After completion of the experimental conditions, subjects were administered Rorschachs which were scored utilizing the Exner Comprehensive System. Student's t tests indicated significantly higher scores on the sum of all responses involving the use of shading and achromatic features (right-side eb) for the learned-helplessness subjects. According to Rorschach theory, these results suggest that subjects in a learned-helplessness condition experience a more painful affective state and tend to withdraw from their environment more than subjects experiencing a nonlearned-helplessness condition. This can be seen as a defense against experiencing more stress. These conclusions are discussed in the context of learned helplessness and reactive depression.