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Published on: October 16, 2013
[Body Image Index in the Rorschach test in ulcerative proctocolitis]
P Porcelli1, S Zaka, S Tarantino
1Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, S. De Bellis, Castellana Grotte, Bari.
Patients with ulcerous rectocolitis exhibit a "high P-low B" personality profile, characterized by anxiety and internalizing aggression, as revealed by the Rorschach Body-Image Index.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Context:
- The Rorschach test and Fisher-Cleveland's Body-Image Index (BII) are utilized to explore psychological correlates of physical illness.
- Ulcerous rectocolitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with potential psychosomatic components.
Purpose:
- To investigate the body image characteristics of patients with ulcerous rectocolitis using the Body-Image Index.
- To test the hypothesis that diseases affecting internal body functions correlate with a high Penetration (P) score and low Barrier (B) score (high P-low B personality).
Summary:
- The study analyzed 41 patients (24 males, 17 females; mean age 32) with ulcerous rectocolitis.
- Patients presented a "high P-low B" personality profile, with significantly higher P/R% (28.7%) and lower B/R% (4.2%) ratios compared to normative values.
- This profile was associated with anxiety, internalized aggression (anger-in), field-dependence, stress intolerance, somatic conflict reactions, and unstable body image.
Impact:
- Provides insight into the psychological profile associated with ulcerous rectocolitis.
- Highlights the utility of the Body-Image Index in understanding psychosomatic conditions.
- Suggests potential targets for psychotherapeutic interventions in managing inflammatory bowel disease.
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