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[The elaboration of aggressiveness in adolescence: Comparative structural study based on the Rorschach test]
L Schiltz1, R Diwo2, C de Tychey2
1Laboratoire de recherche en psychologie clinique, psychologie de la santé et art thérapie (PCSA), hôpital Kirchberg, CHU, université de Heidelberg, 9, rue Edward-Steichen, 2540 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
L'Encephale
|December 3, 2014
Summary
The Rorschach test reveals distinct patterns in adolescents experiencing anxiety versus externalized aggression. It helps differentiate aggression management styles and predict personality pathology risks.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Adolescent identity formation involves symbolic elaboration of aggression.
- The Rorschach test is valuable for assessing identity development and potential psychopathology in adolescents.
- It aids in diagnosing risks for personality disorders and emotional disturbances, guiding therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze Rorschach test responses between anxious and violent adolescents.
- To explore how defense mechanisms and coping strategies for aggression influence identity construction.
- To validate the Rorschach test as a quantitative research tool for adolescent psychopathology.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 20 anxious and 20 violent adolescents using the Rorschach test.
- Inclusion based on clinical interviews and psychopathological assessment.
- Utilized an original rating scale for quantitative analysis and inferential statistics, including HOMALS.
Main Results:
- Anxious adolescents showed greater emotional/relational needs and self-directed aggression, with better mentalization.
- Violent adolescents experienced perplexity and slowed executive functions due to stimulus ambiguity.
- Latent dimensions identified a typology of adjustment to aggressive drives, supporting the rating scale's validity.
Conclusions:
- The Rorschach test effectively differentiates interiorized and exteriorized aggression in adolescents.
- It reveals structural personality differences and aids in predicting adult personality pathology.
- Future research can explore therapeutic changes using the Rorschach test in pre/post-test designs.
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