(PS4-15) Old Is New: The Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank Contributes Unique Variance to Quality of Life Regressions

Projective tests, which require examinees to respond to ambiguous stimuli, are controversial in psychological assessment (Lilienfeld et al., 2000; Meyer & Kurtz, 2006). Lilienfeld and colleagues (2000) argue that few projective tests, other than certain indexes of the Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test, have empirical support. However, recent research (Torstrick et al., 2015) suggests that the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB-2) contributes unique variance in partial correlation with quality of life over and above general psychological distress. The present data come from a larger study examining the psychometric properties of the RISB-2, in which participants completed the RISB-2, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-SF-1), and the Abbreviated World Health Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), among other measures. Subsequent analysis found that the RISB-2’s association with three domains of quality of life remained significant when entered into multiple regression with the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DAS-SF-1. Moreover, the RISB-2 was the only measure that remained significant when entered into a multiple regression predicting social quality of life. Implications for the utility and relevance of projective measures will be discussed.

References

Lilienfeld, S.O., Wood, J.M., & Garb, H.N. (2000). The scientific status of projective techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 1(2), 27-66. doi: 10.1111/1529-1006.002.

 Meyer, G.J., & Kurtz, J.E. (2006). Advancing personality assessment terminology: Time to retire “objective” and “projective” as personality test descriptors. Journal of Personality Assessment, 87(3), 223-225.

Torstrick, A., McDermut, W., Gokberk, A., Bivona, T., & Walton, K. E. (2015). Associations Between the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank and Measures of Personality and Psychopathology. Journal of Personality Assessment, 97(5), 494–505.