Rorschach measures of posttraumatic stress in Persian Gulf War veterans

Rorschach variables and Big Five scales as predictors of military training completion: a replication study of the selection of candidates to the naval special forces in Norway

We tested 140 male candidates at the Naval Special Forces (NFS) of Norway on the Rorschach (Exner, 2003; Rorschach, 1921/1942) and the Norwegian version of the Big Five personality dimensions (Engvik & Føllesdal, 2005). Rorschach variables significantly correlated with training completion (effect sizes of r(e) = .14-.25), whereas none of the Big Five factors or facets did. The combination of Rorschach and Big Five variables framed in the illusory mental health concept provided strong predictive ability. Testing under stress produced slightly higher predictive validity coefficients between the Rorschach variables and pass-fail than under calm testing. The findings support the results of Hartmann, Sunde, Kristensen, and Martinussen (2003), indicating that Rorschach variables and indications of good mental health may be valid predictors of NFS training.

Psychological measures as predictors of military training performance

The predictive validity of 7 ability tests, the Big Five, and the Rorschach method administered to 71 male applicants at the Naval Special Forces (NSF) of Norway was evaluated based on pass/fail results in training. The findings showed: (a) small correlations between the ability tests, the Big Five scales, and the success criterion; (b) Rorschach variables measuring stress tolerance, reality testing, cognition, and social adjustment correlated significantly (r =.25 to.48) with pass/fail results in training, and (c) logistic regression analysis revealed that 3 of the Rorschach variables accumulated incrementally in the prediction of training completion when entered after the ability tests and the Big Five scales, thus supporting the merit of using Rorschach variables for predicting NSF training performance

Empirical support for interrater reliability of Rorschach Comprehensive System coding

Although a great deal of data has been published in the past 20 years supporting the interrater reliability of the Rorschach, recently commentators have raised anew concerns over the interrater reliability of this well-known and frequently used measure. An analysis of the literature reveals that these concerns are based on a selective review of the literature. The current study reports interrater reliability statistics for 70 interpretive Rorschach variables (n = 84), breaking down intraclass correlations statistics by base rate. Results confirm the strong empirical evidence of the interrater reliability of this measure when scored by a well-trained and diverse group of researchers and clinicians. Reliability is especially strong and consistent for the high base-rate variables from which clinicians often base their interpretations. These data further suggest that large samples are needed for stable reliability estimates of low base-rate variables and that estimates of the reliability of low base-rate variables are subject to error.

Apparent symptom overreporting in combat veterans evaluated for PTSD

Psychometric studies have consistently shown that combat veterans evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appear to overreport psychopathology as exhibited by (a) extreme and diffuse levels of psychopathology across instruments measuring different domains of mental illness, and (b) extreme elevations on the validity scale of the MMPI-MMPI-2, in a "fake-bad" direction. The phenomenon of this ubiquitous presentational style is not well understood at present. In this review we describe and delineate the assessment problem posed by this apparent symptom overreporting, and we review the literature regarding several potential explanatory factors. Finally, we address conceptual and practical issues relevant to reaching a better understanding of the phenomenon, and ultimately the clinical syndrome of combat-related PTSD, in both research and clinical settings.

The Rorschach test in clinical diagnosis: a critical review, with a backward look at Garfield (1947)

The present article comments on a classic study by Garfield (1947) then reviews research on the Rorschach and psychiatric diagnoses. Despite a few positive findings, the Rorschach has demonstrated little validity as a diagnostic tool. Deviant verbalizations and bad form on the Rorschach, and indices based on these variables, are related to Schizophrenia and perhaps to Bipolar Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder also seem to give an above-average number of deviant verbalizations. Otherwise the Rorschach has not shown a well-demonstrated relationship to these disorders or to Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders other than PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dependent, Narcissistic, or Antisocial Personality Disorders, Conduct Disorder, or psychopathy.

Texture response patterns associated with sexual trauma of childhood and adult onset: developmental and recovered memory implications

OBJECTIVE

Reduce texture sensitivity on the Rorschach is proposed as a sequela of early sexual abuse that is unlikely to be contaminated by situational variables. If this conceptualization has merit, texture attributes offer a roadmap for studying vying claims in the recovered memory debate. To explore this possibility, we examined the extent to which intense preoccupation with sexual trauma of childhood and of adult onset was related to reduced texture productivity.

METHOD

Texture productivity was measured in 4 groups comprised of 108 patients using the Rorschach. Twenty-seven patients with recovered memory were compared with 27 patients with continuous memory of childhood sexual trauma, 27 post trauma stress patients with sexual trauma of adult onset, and 27 non-abused patients.

RESULTS

The study replicated previous findings of reduced texture productivity among patients who always remembered sexual trauma of childhood-onset. The same texture deficiency pattern was observed among patients who recovered memory of childhood sexual abuse. This pattern was not observed in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients intensely preoccupied with sexual trauma of adult onset despite the fact that they mimicked the recovered memory group in respect to enduring preoccupation with distressing thoughts of sexual abuse.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that intrusive memories of sexual trauma do not shape patients' response to textural cues on the Rorschach. Variations in texture productivity are primarily moderated by age of trauma onset. Dismissal of claims of recovered memories on the basis of intense sexual preoccupation is not warranted.

Differential patterns of responding among three groups of chronic, psychotic, forensic outpatients

Elements of response style were examined among three groups of chronic, psychotic, forensic patients: paranoid schizophrenics (N = 89); undifferentiated-disorganized schizophrenics (N = 38); and schizoaffective patients (N = 53). Forensic patients with elevated MMPI-2 L Scales produced increased percentages of Pure Form (F%) on the Rorschach. A similar relationship occurred when the Rorschach was used as the independent measure. Schizoaffective patients reported more psychotic symptoms on the MMPI-2 and lower F% (Rorschach) than both schizophrenic groups. Although undifferentiated schizophrenics evidenced the most psychopathology on the Rorschach (impaired reality testing and perceptual accuracy disturbance), all three groups produced lower than expected frequencies for Rorschach variables commonly associated with thought disorder and poor reality testing (Exner, 1995b). The clinical importance of using the MMPI-2 and Rorschach in tandem with forensic psychiatric patients is discussed. Our empirical findings suggest the need for forensic evaluators to consider the important relationship between psychiatric diagnosis and response style (defensiveness, denial, illness chronicity, medications, and concurrent Axis II psychopathology) when interpreting often-constricted psychological testing protocols in chronic forensic patient populations.

Methodological issues in evaluating Rorschach validity: a comment on Burns and Viglione (1996), Weiner (1996), and Ganellen (1996)

The old controversy regarding the Rorschach Inkblot Test has recently revived. The present article suggests that the debate will be most productive if careful attention is paid to methodological issues. Three recent examples illustrate how incorrect conclusions regarding Rorschach validity may occur if methodological issues are not evaluated carefully. The present article examines (a) Burns and Viglione s (1996) conclusion that the Rorschach Human Experience Variable (HEV) is a predictor of interpersonal relatedness among adults; (b) Weiner s (1996) conclusion that the D score and Morbid Responses (MOR) are valid measures of experienced distress in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and (c) Ganellen s (1996a, 1996b) conclusion that the Rorschach Depression Index (DEPI) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) are comparable in their power to identify diagnoses of depression.