Yuvikza Romero
Julia De Leon
Christian Arenas
Aimee Gonzales
11/28/01
Psych. 542.02
Dr. Michael Mills
Purpose:
To examine and compare COP/AG scores, a proposed Rorschach index of malevolence, among sexually abused girls and non-abused girls. It was proposed that malevolence is a core component of maltreatment experiences and a salient feature that distinguishes victims of abuse to non-victims.
Ø COP- Cooperative Movement; reflects a person’s view of interpersonal relationships, specifically a willingness to view relationships as mutual or cooperative. A score of COP is assigned to any movement response involving to or more objects interacting in a manner that is positive or cooperative. The presence of COP reveals high interpersonal adjustment.
Ø AG- Aggressive Movement; reflects a person’s tendency to view the social environment in a generally negative and hostile manner. AG is scored for any movement response in which current action is clearly aggressive/violent. The presence of elevated AG scores appear to indicate a positive association with an increased predisposition for verbal and non-verbal aggression and may reflect a sense of discomfort in interpersonal situations.
Ø COP and AG variables together are proposed components of the malevolence construct being studied. COP/AG is scored when responses include the cooperation and mutual interaction of two or more persons/animals engaged in violent/aggressive actions.
Method:
Participants
The participants were 35 female outpatients of the Dallas Child Guidance Clinic ranging in age from 6 to 15 years. 21 of the participants had histories of sexual abuse where sexual abuse was defined as any desired or undesired sexual experience with a person at least five years older and included both contact and non-contact events. The other 14 girls had no prior history of any type of maltreatment.
The participants were given the Rorschach Inkblot Test that was part of a larger test battery composed of intelligence, achievement, and personality tests. Qualified DCGC staff members administered the test with expertise in psychological assessment. Test results were scored and interpreted using the CS (Comprehensive System). Three graduate students and a licensed psychologist separately reviewed and scored the tests. All raters were blind to the abuse status of the participant. Inter-rater reliability was .91 for COP and .99 for AG.
Results:
The COP/AG scores were significantly higher for the sexually abused group than for the non-abused group, t(20) = 2.91, eta = .55, p = .009.
Discussion:
The study found support for the hypothesis that malevolence is a salient feature that can be used to distinguish the perceptions of abused and non-abused females. Indeed the COP/AG scores were higher in sexually abused females than non-abused females. These findings were consistent with prior studies dealing with the same subject matter. The development of a malevolence index within the Rorschach can potentially give rise to further research in the assessment of personality traits associated with abuse.
Suggestions for further research:
Ø Research should be done with a larger sample
Ø Research should be broadened to other forms of abuse such as physical, emotional, abusive adult relationships (domestic abuse), etc.
Ø Research should include males
Ø Research should be extended to people suffering with other personality disorders
Outline: Rorschach Assessment of Malevolence in Sexually Abused Girls
Journal of Personality Assessment
PURPOSE
To examine the presence of Rorschach-assessed malevolence as a component of maltreatment experiences that distinguishes victims of abuse from non-victims. COP/AG scores were utilized as part of the assessment.
COP
reflects individual’s view of interpersonal relationships
score determined by movement response (positive/cooperative)
presence suggests interpersonal adjustment
AG
reflects individual’s view of social environment
score determined by movement response (aggressive/violent)
presence suggests verbal/nonverbal aggression
3. COP & AG
a. both variables will be utilized to determine presence of
malevolence.
b. measured when there exists cooperation amongst
individuals/animals involved in violent/aggressive acts
METHOD
Participants
35 female from Dallas Child Guidance Clinic (ages 6-15)
21 histories of sexual abuse
14 females had no prior history of sexual abuse/maltreatment
Large test battery was conducted including the Rorschach Inkblot Test
Qualified DCGC staff members conducted the test.
Tests were scored and interpreted using the Comprehensive System.
3 advanced graduate students in addition to a licensed psychologist examined and scored the assessments.
Raters were not aware of the subject’s victim/non-victim status.
Inter-rater reliability was obtained.
Results indicated that the sexually abused group had significantly higher COP/AG scores than the non-abused group, t(20)=2.91, eta=.55, p=.009.
Further support was needed for the hypothesis.
COP/AG scores were higher in sexually abused females than non-abused females.
Findings were consistent with previous findings.
Malevolence index within the Rorschach can increase the need for further research in the assessment of personality traits associated with the abuse.