The validity of individual Rorschach variables: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the comprehensive system.

Abstract

We systematically evaluated the peer-reviewed Rorschach validity literature for the 65 main variables in the popular Comprehensive System (CS). Across 53 meta-analyses examining variables against externally assessed criteria (e.g., observer ratings, psychiatric diagnosis), the mean validity was r = .27 (k = 770) as compared to r = .08 (k = 386) across 42 meta-analyses examining variables against introspectively assessed criteria (e.g., self-report). Using Hemphill's (2003) data-driven guidelines for interpreting the magnitude of assessment effect sizes with only externally assessed criteria, we found 13 variables had excellent support (r ≥ .33, p < .001; [Symbol: see text] FSN > 50), 17 had good support (r ≥ .21, p < .05, FSN ≥ 10), 10 had modest support (p < .05 and either r ≥ .21, FSN < 10, or r = .15-.20, FSN ≥ 10), 13 had little (p < .05 and either r = < .15 or FSN < 10) or no support (p > .05), and 12 had no construct-relevant validity studies. The variables with the strongest support were largely those that assess cognitive and perceptual processes (e.g., Perceptual-Thinking Index, Synthesized Response); those with the least support tended to be very rare (e.g., Color Projection) or some of the more recently developed scales (e.g., Egocentricity Index, Isolation Index). Our findings are less positive, more nuanced, and more inclusive than those reported in the CS test manual. We discuss study limitations and the implications for research and clinical practice, including the importance of using different methods in order to improve our understanding of people.

Associations between the Rorschach Ego Impairment Index and Measures on Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Functioning

“…Nevertheless, our observation is in line with the large number of previous investigations showing a significant association between psychiatric severity and the Rorschach EII-2 [8] [10], as well as between psychopathology and disordered thinking in the Rorschach [41]. Descriptively, the values of the EII-2 were found to differ in clinically meaningful ways.…”

“…However, the observed association between Mand QORS in the personality disorder group was in an unexpected direction, indicating more distortions in interpersonal perception among patients with the highest quality of object relations. M-responses have been demonstrated to be related to distorted perceptions of others [41], but have also been interpreted as indicating impairment of the thought process [7]. Our findings may reflect the fact that in the present study, within this context of relatively healthy persons seeking psychotherapy, even distorted M-responses may indicate the potential for mature interpersonal behaviors, i.e.…”

Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) and vulnerability to stress: A preliminary study on electrodermal activity during stress

“…According to Mihura et al (2013), the MOR is one of the most valid variables within the Stress and Distress domain, and Exner (2003) designed the score as a measure of depression. Furthermore, the response process behind the production of MOR's is largely in line with its traditional interpretation.…”

Form Quality in Rorschach Comprehensive System and R-PAS: Sample of Psychiatric Cases

“…Rorschach (1942Rorschach ( /1981 emphasized this importance when he stressed that the interpretation of the form belonged to the field of perception rather than imagination, in which the effort to integrate the image is realized consciously as an effort, and he concludes that the experiment could be called "a test of the perceptive power of the subject" (p. 18). In a metaanalysis review on the Rorschach CS variables, Mihura et al (2013) found that the variables that provided the strongest empirical support were those related to perceptual processes. The importance of the FQ in the Rorschach can be measured by the fact that each response has to be checked as to its FQ accuracy, taking as reference the general population perceptions listed in the tables.…”

“…Consequently, those Rorschach indexes that include FQ play an important role not only in the clinical setting, in which they can support diagnosis and help to understand the distress of the individual and on the prognosis and better treatment planning, but also in the research context. In fact, several recent studies have tested the psychometric properties of these indexes (Mihura, Meyer, Dumitrascu, & Bombel, 2013;Viglione, Giromini, Gustafson, & Meyer, 2014;Wood, Garb, Nezworski, Lilienfeld, & Duke, 2015), and applied them on several samples from different countries (DzamonjaIgnjatovic, Smith, Djuric Jocic, & Milanovic, 2013;Moore, Viglione, Rosenfarb, Patterson, & Mausbach, 2013;Silva & Costa, 2014). Valkonen, Lindfors, and Knekt (2012) used the Ego Impairment Index, EII, to study anxiety disorders, and found a significant, but weak association between the EII and the interview-based scale Level of Personality Organization, LPO, (Pyykkönen, 2008, apud Valkonen et al, 2012.…”