Construct validation of the Rorschach Reality-Fantasy Scale in alexithymia.

Abstract

The study applies Winnicott's conceptualization of potential space to the alexithymia construct by using a new Rorschach index, the Reality-Fantasy Scale (RFS). The scale uses variables derived from the Rorschach Comprehensive System (Exner, 2000, 2001) to detect different types of psychopathological manifestations conceptualized as forms of collapse of potential space. Following previous research, the present study further evaluates the construct validity of the RFS in a sample of 92 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, categorized on the basis of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) as alexithymic, indeterminate alexithymia, and nonalexithymic groups. As hypothesized, the RFS significantly correlated with the TAS-20, discriminated among the 3 groups, and showed incremental validity in detecting alexithymia over isolated Rorschach markers. The study supports the exploration of psychoanalytic ideas by empirical, statistically based methods.

An Accumulation of Negative Life Events and the Construction of Alexithymia: A Longitudinal and Clinical Approach

“…The principal findings of these authors regarding alexithymia within the Rorschach include -Pure F% (proportion of responses based only on the external contours of the blot) was the Comprehensive System variable with the largest effect size (r = .70 in Porcelli & Meyer, 2002) and has been noted in several studies (Acklin & Alexander, 1988;Bash, 1986;Tibon et al, 2005). As Porcelli and Meyer pointed out (2002), research data reviewed by Exner (2003) and Weiner (1998) has indicated that this variable is closely associated with a defensive lack of engagement, concrete and simplistic thinking styles, narrowing of the perceptual field, and a coping style marked by the avoidance of complexity, featuring restricted and stereotypical ideation.…”

“…4. The current working method for Rorschach clinicians from the Parisian School (Boucherat-Hue, 2002;Chabert, 1988;Debray, 1983;de Tychey, 2004;Gueniche et al, 2008;Roman, 1997) is not carried out within the same research perspective as most American studies on the subject (Acklin & Alexander, 1988;Lumley et al, 2007;Porcelli & Meyer, 2002;Sultan & Porcelli, 2006;Tibon, Weinberger, Handelzalts, & Porcelli, 2005). Indeed, American clinicians are prone to carry out comparative studies on alexithymia and allied disorders within larger groups using both the Rorschach and self-report questionnaires in which inferential statistical analyses are often employed.…”

“…Although it is not feasible to attempt within this study a full review of clinical data using the Comprehensive System, the most salient and pertinent recent contributions include Exner (2003), Lumley et al (2007), Porcelli and Meyer (2002), Sultan and Porcelli (2006), and Tibon et al (2005). The principal findings of these authors regarding alexithymia within the Rorschach include -Pure F% (proportion of responses based only on the external contours of the blot) was the Comprehensive System variable with the largest effect size (r = .70 in Porcelli & Meyer, 2002) and has been noted in several studies (Acklin & Alexander, 1988;Bash, 1986;Tibon et al, 2005).…”

“…-Low EA (M + WSumC) indicating a low level of personal resources and potentially an ambivalent coping style (Acklin & Alexander, 1988;Sultan & Porcelli, 2006). -Finally, Tibon et al (2005) developed a Rorschach RealityFantasy Scale (RFS) by using some of these indicators cited previously and adding one Special Score of reality collapse (RC). This Special Score is given to responses in which the subject is observed to be completely losing distance from the blot.…”

The Assessment of Alexithymia in Medical Settings: Implications for Understanding and Treating Health Problems

“…More recently, Porcelli and Meyer (2002) furthered this line of Rorschach research and demonstrated that alexithymic participants (as identified by self-report) were more likely to show an impoverished fantasy life, poorly adapted emotional expression, poor coping resources, concrete and stereotypical thinking, and social conformity with compromised relationships. Tibon, Weinberger, Handelzalts, and Porcelli (2005) also explored the "collapse of potential space" on the Rorschach using a new reality-fantasy index and found modest, positive associations of this index with self-reports of alexithymia.…”