Schizophrenic, Depressive, and Nonpatient Personality Organizations Described by Rorschach Factor Structures

Abstract

Rorschachs of 155 schizophrenics, 102 depressives, and 186 nonpatients were collected and scored using the Comprehensive System. Twenty-seven Rorschach variables considered central to interpretation were selected for study. Factor analyses and partial correlations controlling for number of responses, R, were generated in order to investigate the personality organization of each of the three groups. A three factor solution was found to be optimal for each group. Patterns of personality organization were discussed within the three groups and factor structures were compared and contrasted. While similarities occur between the three groups, each group also manifests a unique personality organization. These findings support the hypothesis that schizophrenics and depressives differ from nonpatients in kind, rather than degree of disorder.

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

“…These factors strikingly resemble factors that have been identified in prior factor analyses of adult Rorschachs using the CS (e.g., Fitzgerald, 1990Fitzgerald, / 1991Mason et al, 1985;Meyer, 1992;Zillmer & Perry, 1996;Zillmer & Vuz, 1995). Future researchers may wish to explore whether these same three factors can also be found in samples of preadolescent children.…”

The Factor Structure of the Rorschach for Adolescent Inpatients

“…Another possible interpretation for these results, not considered by Mason et al (1985), is that the variation of the factor structure by groups is part of a larger problem. It is possible that the test is unreliable and hence will always provide a different factor solution with any group.…”

“…Although Mason et al (1985) found meaningful factors, their study is the only attempt thus far to factor analyze the Comprehensive System of the Rorschach. Mason et al used factor analysis as a way to identify the best group-test fit.…”

“…Mason, Cohen, and Exner (1985) pointed out that a n understanding of what the test measures can be furthered by observing empirically those factors that emerge within different groups. Another advantage of the factor analytic approach is in the potential merging of unnecessary or redundant variables.…”

“…Factor analysis would reduce the potential for chance differences by producing a smaller number of interpretively meaningful and coherent factors. Mason et al (1985) factor analyzed the Rorschachs of adult schizophrenics, depressives, and nonpatients. Three different factor solutions were found for each of these groups, each interpreted as being consistent with the group's underlying psychopathology.…”