Sexual abuse of children has profound negative effects on psychological development. This study examined the effects of sexual abuse on object relations functioning by using the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale (MAS, Urist, 1977) to score Rorschach protocols of 63 abused children and 60 non-abused clinical controls. The hypothesis that abused children would have less developed object relations than their non-abused counterparts was not supported. Neither was the hypothesis that children who experienced greater severity of sexual abuse would exhibit more malevolent object relations. The hypothesis that mean and modal MAS scores would be highly intercorrelated and interchangeable as research variables was supported. Comparisons of this sample to a normative sample are discussed.

This study was undertaken in the belief that a greater relationship would be revealed between the Rorschach and intelligence test scores if the factors in the Rorschach which have been found in the past to be related to intelligence could be compared as a whole with scores obtained on mental tests. The purpose of this study was to determine whether it could be demonstrated that a higher degree of relationship does exist between several of the Rorschach factors, considered as a whole, and intelligence as revealed by the California Test of Mental Maturity.

The study was exploratory in nature, with 62 adult participants participating in this research. The aim of the study was to determine the level of ego impairment, if any, among a group of patients diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The data obtained from this sample was subjected to the Rorschach-based Ego Impairment Index-2 (EII-2). An in-depth analysis of the composite variables of this index was performed, allowing a comprehensive grasp of the implications of ego impairment in everyday functioning. The study was conducted in order to ascertain the nature of the psychological dynamics at play amongst this population group. The value of using the EII-2 is seen in its ability to establish various strengths and weaknesses in areas of ego functioning that are a core component of the personality, rather than behavioural manifestations that are sporadic and subject to change. Thus the results will reflect traits that are enduring and fundamental when considering the personality. In addition, the areas of psychological functioning that were determined were linked to the current conceptualisation of Bipolar Disorder, which, at present, is primarily conceived of as a biological disorder. The results of the EII-2 yielded from this sample indicated an overall moderate ego impairment falling within the moderate range, indicating that for this population, an impairment of ego was evident. Particularly, the domains of reality testing, cognitive functioning and object relatedness seemed to be most impaired. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / Unrestricted

Cette recherche en psychanalyse et psychologie projective questionne, sous l'angle de la créativité, le système des grandes écoles en France et celui des classes préparatoires, mode de formation le plus courant pour intégrer ces écoles (établissements élitistes, principalement de commerce et d'ingénieurs). Elle s'intéresse aussi au processus adolescent activement à l'œuvre chez les élèves qui, pour la plupart, trouvent en classe prépa, manière à traiter leurs conflits. Si l'adolescence pousse à la créativité, le passage en prépa favorise la sublimation, destin pulsionnel privilégié qui peut ouvrir aux plus belles créations. A partir de ces réflexions, étayées par l'analyse métapsychologique de la créativité et de son rapprochement avec la sublimation, nous conjecturons que les étudiants en grandes écoles, issus des classes prépas, pourraient s'avérer particulièrement créatifs. Concourraient à cette disposition une pugnacité au travail, mue par le désir inextinguible d'apprendre, ainsi qu'une certaine forme de nostalgie, relative à l'enfance envolée. Notre rencontre avec vingt étudiants - qui ont accepté de se prêter aux méthodes projectives - vient vérifier cette hypothèse : la distinction entre deux groupes d'étudiants, issus des classes prépas ou bien admis par d'autres voies, confirme l'expression plus aisée du potentiel créateur chez ceux du premier groupe. La recherche s'interroge ensuite sur l'exercice de la créativité après les diplômes, notamment lorsqu'elle se déploie dans le domaine des mathématiques. / This research in psychoanalysis and projective psychology examines the French « Grandes Ecoles » and preparatory class system, from the angle of creativity. These intensive courses called « prepa classes » are the most common way to enter the « Grandes Ecoles » (French Elite Establishments, mainly Business and Engineering Schools). This research also explores how the Teen prepa students, who are going through the adolescence process at work, can find way to resolve their conflicts through the prepa way of life. If adolescence impulses creativity, the prepa class system enhances sublimation, this pulsionnal conversion leading to the most beautiful productions. These considerations, supported by a metapsychological analysis about creativity and its link with sublimation, lead us to make the assumption that the "Grandes Ecoles" students, after the prepa classes, should be particularly creative. A strong dedication to work, moved by the very utmost desire of learning, as well as a touch of nostalgia, due to the loss of childhood, could reinforce this ability. We interviewed and tested - with projective methods - twenty « Grandes Ecoles » students, belonging to two groups : the first one had joined the Engineering or Business Schools after preparatory classes, the second one had joined them by other ways. Our results confirm that students from prepa classes show more easily their creative potential than the others . The research goes on to question how creativity is expressed after graduation and in particular, among top-level mathematicians.

Ce travail porte sur les processus psychiques qui sous-tendent l'acte de violence sexuelle à l'âge adulte, avec la perspective de les comprendre à la lumière du processus de subjectivation adolescent, du travail d'historisation et des enjeux identificatoires, en termes de bisexualité psychique, qui y sont liés. Les observations cliniques s'appuient sur plusieurs entretiens non directifs ainsi que sur la passation du Rorschach et du TAT avec 8 hommes auteurs de violence sexuelle étant sous soins pénalement ordonnés après la fin de leur incarcération. Ils ont été rencontrés dans une institution spécialisée en participant de manière libre à cette recherche. Ces hommes ont tous agi leur première violence sexuelle à l'âge adulte et non lors de l'adolescence comme c'est le cas pour la majorité de ces individus. La passation du TAT comporte aussi les planches habituellement destinées aux femmes et la planche 17BM afin d'appréhender davantage les subtilités identificatoires de ces personnes. Ces observations m'ont permis de développer ensuite des hypothèses et réflexions métapsychologiques concernant ces personnes afin de tenter de proposer une interprétation de la manière dont l'acte de violence sexuelle peut s'inscrire dans leur parcours de vie. Enfin, ce travail s'ancre dans des perspectives de soins. En effet, il vise à souligner d'une part l'importance de l'adolescent dans l'adulte au sein de la psychothérapie et, d'autre part, la richesse de la méthode de recherche utilisée ici comme potentiel levier thérapeutique pour les personnes sous soins pénalement ordonnés. / The aim of this study is to examine the psychic processes underlying the act of sexual violence within a population of adult offenders in light of the adolescent process of subjectivation, the work of historicization and the bisexual dispositions of identifications. Clinical data was collected from non-directive interviews and projective assessments of 8 male sexual offenders who had committed their first sexual offense later at adulthood, an uncommon criterion in this population. The sample was selected from a specialized institution for penal imposed treatments after incarceration. Along with the Rorschach, the TAT was administered with the exceptional inclusion of the 17BM and feminine cards in order to gain a better understanding of identification dynamics. The findings highlighted metapsychological basis for the interpretation of the function of sexual violence in the patient's life course, thus yielding important therapeutic implications. Essentially, this research emphasizes the importance of considering the adolescent process in adult psychotherapy. It also underlines the potentially therapeutic benefits yielded by this specific research method amongst the population of sexual offenders undergoing court-ordered treatments.

This study attempted to provide validation for Lerner and Lerner's Rorschach Defense Scale by investigating the relationship between primitive defenses as measured by the Rorschach Defense Scale, level of object relations as measured by the Developmental Analysis of the Concept of the Object Scale, and characteristic defensive operations as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. One hundred and twenty undergraduates completed the Rorschach and MMPI, and the RDS and DACOS were applied to their Rorschach responses. The results show a significant positive correlation between use of primitive defenses and level of object relations development -and a significant negative correlation between the defense Projective Identification and MMPI scale 6 (Paranoia) elevation. Overall, these results did not support the validity of the RDS.

En dépit de ses qualités, le Rorschach en Système Intégré présente des problèmes psychométriques substantiels que le nouveau système Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) ne permet pas de résoudre. Aussi, l’objectif principal de la thèse que nous défendons est de développer une approche psychométrique du Rorschach qui soit satisfaisante sur les plans statistique et clinique. Une Analyse Parallèle et Une Analyse en Composantes Principales réalisée sur un échantillon normatif de 695 participants Belges, Français et Finlandais permet de définir un modèle du Rorschach en 12 Composantes. Si ces dimensions sont cohérentes avec les principes de cotation et les connaissances empiriques sur le Rorschach, elles font également apparaître certaines difficultés de cotation, des aspects du Rorschach qui ont été négligés dans la recherche, de même qu’elles remettent en question certains indices du Système Intégré. Ce modèle est appliqué à deux problèmes empiriques : l’expression de particularités culturelles au Rorschach et la capacité du test à identifier des stratégies de résolution de problème (qui est un aspect central du Système Intégré). Les normes américaines du Système Intégré ainsi que les normes internationales du R-PAS ne peuvent s’appliquer de manière universelle et il faut donc recourir à des valeurs de références nationales. De plus, le Rorschach ne permet pas d’identifier des stratégies de résolution de problème de manière fiable. Ces études montrent que certains principes fondamentaux du Système Intégré et du R-PAS sont à remettre en question et qu’il est nécessaire de développer un nouveau système d’interprétation du Rorschach selon une approche psychométrique. / In spite of its quailties, the Rorschach Comprehensive System (RCS) presents substantial psychometric issues which are not solved by the new Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS). Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to develop a satisfying psychometrical approach of the Rorschach test. A Parallel Analysis and a Principal Component Analysis performed on a normative sample of 695 Belgian, French and Fins participants define a 12 Components model of the Rorschach. If these dimensions are coherent with scoring principles and empirical evidences for the Rorschach they also reveal some scoring issues, neglected aspects of the Rorschach in the research field as well as they question the validity of some indices of the RCS. This model was applied to two empirical problems : the cross-cultural study of the Rorschach and its ability to assess problem solving strategies (which is a key feature of the RCS). The american norms of the RCS and the international reference values of the R-PAS cannot be used universally and it is necessary to use national norms. Moreover, the Rorschach does not assess problem solving strategies in a satisfying manner. These studies demonstrate that some fondamental principles of the RCS and the R-PAS must be questionned and the necessity to develop a new interpretation system for the Rorschach based on a psychometrical approach.

Ce travail de thèse propose d’approfondir la compréhension de l’anorexie de l’adolescente à partir d’une méthodologie projective (Rorschach et T.A.T.).Il révèle notamment la présence d’une instabilité des frontières du Moi et un dépassement insuffisant des conflits prégénitaux venant influer sur la construction du féminin et favoriser le recours à des défenses de type phalliques narcissiques permettant d’éviter tout autant le vécu de séparation que celui de dépendance.Ce travail met par ailleurs en évidence un traitement singulier des fantasmes de séduction marqué par un renversement de la construction hystérique, l’insuffisance du refoulement et l’impossibilité à investir une position passive venant entraîner un vécu spécifique marqué par une exacerbation des angoisses persécutives qui paraît liée au caractère insuffisamment sécurisé des frontières propres et à la difficulté de régulation de l’excitation pulsionnelle.Dans son approche différentielle, ce travail révèle également chez les patientes présentant un profil restrictif une plus grande efficience des défenses narcissiques en comparaison des patientes présentant un tableau d’anorexie-boulimie où la problématique de porosité des enveloppes et les difficultés de maniement pulsionnel se dévoilent davantage. Les problématiques mobilisées paraissent néanmoins semblables. L’apport de cette recherche se situe davantage dans la mise en évidence de mouvements de clivage au Moi pouvant conduire à deux types d’aménagements distincts venant s’exercer soit sur un mode persécutif, soit sur un mode adhésif, avec une influence sur le type de structuration psychique de ces adolescentes se révélant indépendante des formes symptomatiques tout en pouvant correspondre à deux temps distincts de la maladie. / This paper attempts to go further into female teen anorexia from the perspective of a projective methodology. It brings particularly to light the presence of a blurred frontier of the Ego and an insufficient expansion of pregenital conflicts which affects the construction of the feminine and facilitates resorting to a narcissistic phallic type of defense which helps avoid the experience of separation as much as that of dependency.This paper brings further to light a particular handling of seduction fantasies marked by a reversal of hysterical construction, insufficient repression and the impossibility to invest a passive position. This leads to a specific real life experience marked by an exacerbation of persecution anxiety which seem to be linked to both the insufficiently secured nature of instinctive excitation and the difficulty to regulate it. From its differential approach, this paper also highlights a better efficiency of narcissist defense in those female patients presenting a restrictive profile compared with those presenting anorexia-bulimia stigmas where porosity of envelopes and difficulty of handling drive are more apparent. However, the issues raised appear to be similar.This research paper brings brings further highlight to the cleavage process phenomenon in the Ego leading of anorectic patients to two distinctive types of psychic adjustments which expresses itself either on a persecution mode or adhesive one. This in turn has an influence on the type of psychic structures in female teens which turn out to be independent from symptomatic forms while they may at the same time correspond to two different stages of the illness.

Esta pesquisa se desenvolveu a partir da parceria entre o Projeto APOIAR do Laboratório de Saúde Mental e Psicologia Clinica Social do Instituto de Psicologia da USP e a ABRELA (Associação Brasileira de Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica). O estudo refere-se à investigação e compreensão de aspectos afetivos, emocionais e de qualidade de vida dos profissionais da área de saúde, enfocando sua relação com cuidadores e pacientes portadores de Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA), doença degenerativa dos neurônios motores, sem prognóstico de cura, embora com a consciência mantida até a morte. Foi empregado o método clínico de pesquisa em onze profissionais, médicos, assistentes sociais, fisioterapeutas respiratórios e motor, nutricionista e terapeuta ocupacional, no setor da Neuromuscular da UNIFESP/Escola Paulista de Medicina em parceria com a ABRELA. Foram empregados como instrumentos: Entrevista Psicológica Semi Estruturada, Método de Rorschach pelo Sistema de Avaliação Aníbal Silveira (sendo alguns índices selecionados) e o Questionário de Vida de McGill. Os dados foram tratados considerando o grupo de forma geral e não de modo individualizado. Principais resultados obtidos apontam para a maturidade do grupo de profissionais, a sensibilidade da maioria à dor e ao sofrimento dos pacientes, com respostas que denotam afetividade, frustração diante da falta de cura e sucesso no tratamento. Demonstram qualidade de vida preservada, e os dados sugerem que trabalham na área que escolheram apesar das dificuldades que sentem. Sugere-se que sejam implementados programas que possam dar aos profissionais de saúde o suporte necessário para que se mantenham como o grupo estudado nessa pesquisa, em condições de dar conta do contato com pacientes com enfermidades graves e crônicas como a ELA. / The actual research was possible due to the partnership between the Project APOIAR (SUPPORT) of the Laboratory of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology of the Institute of Psychology of USP University of Sao Paulo, and ABRELA ( Brazilian Association of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ( ALS ). This study intends to investigate and better understand the Quality of Life and emotional aspects of health professionals in their relationship with ALS patients and their carers. ALS is a degenerative illness which affects motor neurons causing severe physical impediments, even tough its patients continue lucid up to their death. This illness does not have a prognosis of cure. We have applied the Clinical Method of survey and research on eleven professionals physicians, social workers, motor and respiratory physiotherapists, nutritionist and occupational therapist from de Department of neuromuscular of UNIFESP/ Federal Paulista Medical School and partnership with ABRELA. The study Instruments used were the Semi- Structured psychological Interview, the Rorschach Method ( the Evaluation System by Anibal Silveira) and the Questionnaire of Quality of Life. The collected data considered the group as a whole and not individuals. The main results point towards the maturity of the group of health professionals and their sensitivity related to the pain and suffering of patients, with answers showing affection and frustration due to impossibility of cure and success of treatment. The results show preserved Quality of Life and suggest that those health professionals work within their chosen specialty despite their difficulties.The study suggests the need of implementing programs which give health professionals the necessary support, as shown in this study, so that they can deal with their patients with serious and chronic illnesses such ALS.

A adolescência configura-se como um período de transição, marcado pela instabilidade e por comportamentos que confrontam o mundo adulto, sendo a adolescência em conflito com a lei ainda mais perturbadora por desafiar a sociedade. Quando este desafio concretiza-se no descumprimento de medidas estabelecidas no âmbito jurídico para os atos infracionais, faz-se necessário compreender estes adolescentes, a fim de subsidiar intervenções preventivas que possam evitar uma possível trajetória de criminalidade na fase adulta. O presente estudo tem por objetivo investigar o funcionamento psíquico de um grupo de 30 adolescentes em conflito com a lei, em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa em meio aberto. Esses 30 adolescentes foram distribuídos em três grupos, de acordo com o nível inferior, médio e elevado de resistência ao cumprimento da medida socioeducativa. A pesquisa foi realizada junto à Vara de Infância e Juventude de uma Comarca da Grande São Paulo, com a realização de entrevistas com os adolescentes, aplicação do teste de Rorschach e leitura dos respectivos processos judiciais. Os dados de entrevista e das informações constantes dos autos foram categorizados e avaliados em termos descritivos. Os resultados do Método de Rorschach foram analisados de acordo com as referências teóricas do sistema francês da Escola de Paris, considerando-se a produção quantitativa dos três grupos separadamente e também a análise qualitativa de três sujeitos, representantes de cada um dos grupos / Adolescence is a time of transition, characterized by instability and disturbing behaviors to the adult, but juvenile delinquency can be even more challenging, since it confronts society. When this confrontation turns into a failure to comply with juvenile court dispositions, it is necessary to understand these adolescents in order to design preventive interventions that might stop a criminal path into adult life. The present study aims to investigate the psychic functioning of a group of 30 young offenders, who were given a non-custodial sentence. These adolescents were classified in 3 groups, according to the level of lawful resistance (low, medium and high).The research was conducted in one of the Greater São Paulo Juvenile Courts, and it included interviews, psychological assessment using Rorschach Test, as well as reading prosecution files. Data from interview and prosecution files were categorized and described. The Rorschach Test results were analysed according to French (Paris School) methodology. The analysis considered quantitative aspects and it covered qualitative data from three cases, one of each group