The rorschach assessment of borderline defenses: a concurrent validity study

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Psychoanalytic theory
• Personality disorders

Background:

• Assessing borderline personality structure is crucial for effective treatment.
• Existing Rorschach defense scales vary in theoretical underpinnings and methodology.
• Concurrent validity of scales identifying borderline defensive structure needs further examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the concurrent validity of two Rorschach defense scales.
• To compare the Cooper and Lerner & Lerner scales for identifying borderline defensive structure.
• To examine the discriminatory power of each scale across different diagnostic groups.

Main Methods:

• Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing two Rorschach defense scales.
• The Cooper scale was systematically compared to the Lerner & Lerner scale.
• Discriminatory power was evaluated using independently diagnosed samples (neurotic, borderline, schizophrenic).

Main Results:

• Both Rorschach defense scales demonstrated concurrent validity in identifying borderline defensive structure.
• The scales exhibited differences in theoretical models (developmental arrest vs. fixation) and units of analysis.
• The relative discriminatory power of specific defenses varied between the scales when differentiating diagnostic groups.

Conclusions:

• The study provides evidence for the concurrent validity of both Rorschach defense scales.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering theoretical models and units of analysis in scale selection.
• Further research may refine the application of these scales in diagnosing personality disorders.