Main description:

This guide is a much-needed reference for clinicians on how to use the Rorschach Inkblot Test with senior adults, an essential tool for assessing personality functioning to better identify psychological interventions. The book integrates historical developments, current research, conceptual considerations, and therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Chapters review basic guidelines for the understanding and interpretation of Rorschach variables, including protocol validity; interpretation of structural variables, thematic imagery, and cross-cultural normative data; sequence analysis; and more. The authors then provide 10 case illustrations of how the Rorschach indices of cognitive functioning, emotional experience, interpersonal relatedness, and self-perception can facilitate differential diagnosis and treatment planning in clinical work with older people. These case illustrations are rooted in previously non-existent Rorschach reference data based on an international sample of more than 250 senior adults and a second sample of more than 200 patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Clinicians will come away with a solid empirical basis for distinguishing between normal-range personality functioning and manifestations of psychological disorder in the elderly and for providing beneficial interventions to senior adult patients.

Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Part I Introduction

Chapter 1: Current Research and Perspectives on Aging

Neuropsychological Research on Aging

Psychodynamic Perspectives on Aging

Conclusion

References

Chapter 2: Historical Developments in the Rorschach Assessment of Senior Adults

Early History

Standardized Data for Senior Adults

Historical Developments in Applying the Rorschach as a Neuropsychological Tool

Conclusion

References

Part II. Conceptual Considerations

Chapter 3: Effective Utilization of the Rorschach Task in Clinical Gerontopsychology

The Nature of the Rorschach Task

Interpretive Significance of Test Behaviors

Comments

Expressive Style

Interpersonal Style

Conclusion

References

Chapter 4: Parameters of Rorschach Interpretation

Protocol Validity

Interpretation of Structural Variables

Cognitive Functioning

Affective Experience

Interpersonal Relatedness

Self-Perception

Interpretation of Thematic Imagery

Identifying Responses Rich in Thematic Imagery

Formulating Interpretive Hypotheses

Judging the Plausibility of Thematic Interpretations

Sequence Analysis

Conclusion

References

Part III. Normative Rorschach Data for Senior Adults

Introduction to Normative Rorschach Data for Senior Adults

References

Chapter 5: International Normative Data for Nonpatients

Interpreting Rorschach Cross-Cultural Normative Data

Normative Data for Senior Adults in the Twenty-First Century

Implications of the Normative Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 6: Developmental Issues

Basic Developmental Concepts in Aging

Applying the Rorschach for Assessing Developmental Personality Changes

Rorschach Assessment of Younger and Older Senior Adults

Cognitive Functioning

Affective Experience

Interpersonal Relatedness

Self-Perception

Conclusion

References

Chapter 7: Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease

Rorschach Assessment of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive Functioning

Affective Experience

Interpersonal Relatedness

Self-Perception

Conclusion

References

Part IV. Applying Rorschach Assessment of Senior Adults: Case Illustrations

Introduction to Case Illustrations

Chapter 8: Dementia: "Old miners" or "Happy clowns?"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 9: Bipolar Disorder: "A broken heart, ruptured in some way"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 10: Korsakoff's Syndrome: "Reminds me of my life"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 11: Therapeutic Assessment of Acute Depressive Reaction: "Disgusting creatures"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 12: Traumatic Stress Condition: "Two people helping each other, but it's hopeless"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 13: Manic Defenses: "Could be a conflict but it's nice to me"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 14: Medical Condition and Somatization: "A slight indication of a butterfly"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 15. The Apres Coup Effect: "Like a butterfly that is folded"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 16: Fibromyalgia and Alexithymia: "It's better not to think about it than to suffer"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Chapter 17: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality: "I'm looking for a symbolic response"

Background Information

Interpretation of Rorschach Data

Conclusion

References

Part V. Conclusion

Chapter 18: Concluding Remarks+

References

Index