Coordinating Author Information: Erik Hammarström | University Health Care Research Centre Örebro and School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University- Sweden
Session Abstract: BACKGROUND
The Zulliger test was developed as a three card short version of the ten card Rorschach test. In this study we look into whether it can be used to measure cognitive complexity, according to the complexity index of the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) in a clinical sample. Cognitive complexity has since the early days of the Rorschach been considered an important ”first factor” and is still a central measure, evoking lively debate as to its measurement and use.
Several research projects are currently looking at shorter versions of the Rorschach to be used for example for screening purposes. Three countries, including this Swedish study, have ongoing research projects to investigate how well Zulliger test cards translate to Rorschach cards using up to date Rorschach administration and coding. This indicates the need for a variety of applications for this particular test method.
METHOD
Patients in psychiatric settings undergoing Rorschach testing has been administered the Zulliger cards using the exact same procedure (R-PAS, with additional norms from the Zulliger Workbook) at two separate appointments. Results from the two tests are compared for their degree of convergence using various descriptive statistics as well as Bland-Altman analyses.
RESULTS
Preliminary results from the first sixty test subjects (of 100 planned) show significant associations as expected, but Bland-Altman analyses and Q-Q-plots reveal somewhat different data distribution from the two tests. A closer look at density and distribution of data indicates that a linear relationship is not optimal.
Standard error of the measurement and distribution of obtained complexity index scores for each of the thirteen stimulus cards will also be calculated and displayed.
DISCUSSION
The results are discussed in terms of the usefulness of a complexity index when using the three Zulliger cards in an R-PAS procedure, considering things like the limited number of responses on which to base the score and the nature of the association to the Rorschach. The influence of the selected clinical population on obtained distributions is also discussed.
Authors:
Erik Hammarström | University Health Care Research Centre Örebro and School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University- Sweden