Characteristics and possible significance of the answers to Rorschach from patients suffering from psoriasis

Abstract

The authors have tried to ascertain the statistical significance of the differences between the answers to H. Rorschach Psychodiagnostic tests given to 80 male and female adult patients, suffering from psoriasis and by ´normal´ patients. The absolute frequencies and the averages of the results concerning 55 items obtained through the administration of Rorschach to patients with psoriasis were compared with the results of the test made to the general population. The analysis of the data and of the correlations has confirmed the hypothesis that the pathology of psoriasis, is (seriously) damaging, especially as regards the inhibitions, the cerebral potential, the emotional balance and the social relationships of the patient and furthermore, it can be related, ecologically, to problems concerning the identification-individualization process of the patient. This hypothesis has taken into account the high emotional value, in particular as regards the image of oneself, self-acceptance and self evaluation as well as social acknowledgement, and the communicative value given to the skin.