Rorschach as a Tool in the Psychological Assessment of Families With Patients With Schizophrenia : A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract. Identifying the characteristics of families with offspring who have schizophrenia enables early detection and intervention, thereby reducing the psychiatric damage that may occur. To this end, psychological assessment can be used for both individual and family evaluation, notably the Rorschach. This article aims to review the literature about Conjoint/Consensus Rorschach, as well as articles concerning family, schizophrenia, and Rorschach. Although the Rorschach has been used in this context since the 1960s, it has been employed differently by each researcher. This article suggests further studies on assessing individuals of a family with a member who has schizophrenia using the Rorschach. On the basis of systemic family theories – in which family is understood as a system where members change from interacting with others, in addition to learning relational, behavioral and thought patterns – it can be expected that the psychological assessment of one family member is related to the psychological pattern of the other members. From this psychological evaluation, it is possible to plan adequate treatment models, focusing on finding techniques to cope with anxiety-provoking environments and to teach cognitive strategies in order to reduce the deficits caused by schizophrenia and increase the level of functioning of the subject.