Rorschach Predictors of Therapeutic Outcome in a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Service

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that Rorschach indicators of psychological instability and perceptual sensitivity are predictive of therapeutic outcome in a child psychiatric inpatient service. Thirty-four children, matched for age, were divided into two groups, Improvers and Decliners, based on changes in behavioral problems over 60 days of hospitalization. The groups were not distinguishable by scores on intellectual tests, sex, or the initial quality or severity of psychological disturbance. Analyses of Rorschach protocols indicated that children who obtained higher ep, ep-EA, Blends, Zf and Z sum and lower Lambda had improved in treatment. The results suggest that children who are less stabilized and manifest perceptual sensitivity do achieve the greatest gains.