Single-Sign Rorschach Suicide Indicators: A Validity Study Using a Depressed Inpatient Population

This study attempted to test the validity of using single responses on the Rorschach as indicators of current suicidal risk. Forty-one depressed inpatients were administered the Rorschach along with a concurrent measure of depression and suicidality. Appelbaum and Holzman's (1962) color-shading...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality assessment 1988-12, Vol.52 (4), p.658-669
Main Authors: Hansell, Andrea G., Lerner, Howard D., Milden, Randy S., Ludolph, Pamela S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Department, Hospital
Psychometrics
Risk Factors
Rorschach Test
Suicide - psychology
Suicide, Attempted - psychology
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Summary:This study attempted to test the validity of using single responses on the Rorschach as indicators of current suicidal risk. Forty-one depressed inpatients were administered the Rorschach along with a concurrent measure of depression and suicidality. Appelbaum and Holzman's (1962) color-shading sign was found to be related to low suicidal risk, whereas Blatt and Ritzler's (1974) transparency sign was found to be unrelated to current suicidal risk, but still related to a past history of suicide attempts. Patients who saw these signs while depressed were also likely to see them when recovered, suggesting that the signs may indicate a "suicidal personality" who may or may not be in any immediate danger of committing suicide.
ISSN:0022-3891
1532-7752
DOI:10.1207/s15327752jpa5204_6