Rorschach responses of the aged : evidence of decline vs. continued adaptation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the validity of the traditional approach to interpretation of aged subjects' performances on the Rorschach. The traditional approach is that of using younger adults' norms as the yardstick by which to judge older adults' functioning. Subjects for the study were 48 volunteers, aged 62 to 85, all community-living, obtained through senior citizen groups at community centers. Subjects were first given the Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (MFAQ), a comprehensive measure of adaptive functioning designed specifically for aged populations. Subjects were also given the Rorschach, which was scored according to The Comprehensive System (Exner, 1986). A description of the functioning of this sample as measured by the MFAQ was obtained. Subjects' performances on the Rorschach were compared to the norms established on younger adults for The Comprehensive System. Relationships were investigated among the MFAQ dimensions and Rorschach variables. Results of the study Indicate that this sample was clearly functioning well as measured by the MFAQ. This sample, however, performed significantly differently from the younger adults norms on 23 of the 27 Rorschach variables investigated. Traditionally the interpretation of these differences would be that the older group was exhibiting signs of declines, regression, and maladjustment. However, traditional interpretation was challenged, indicating that what was being exhibited on the Rorschach was actually signs of continued growth, thereby providing support for the progression models of aging. The relationships investigated among the specific MFAQ dimensions and Rorschach variables indicate that, for the most part, the direction of interpretation of the Rorschach variable holds for the aged group, but the magnitude of the numbers indicating optimal functioning are very different. Implications for future reseach are discussed.