The Rorschach and the Body

Abstract

Introduction: The Rorschach has proved to be of value in studies addressing the mind-body relationship since it enhances the understanding of this complex relation and its repercussions. Objective: To use some aspects of the Rorschach to explore the mental representation of the body through the study of self-esteem in children with enuresis. Method: The Rorschach Comprehensive System was administrated to 26 children with enuresis and 26 children without enuresis (children of the same age and social class) and 10 selected variables were tested; the Concept of the Object Scale for assessing object representations (ORS) was also used. Results: There is a significant difference in the X+% and EGO, so the children with enuresis show low self-esteem and difficulties perceiving reality. As for ORS, the children without enuresis showed greater freedom to fantasize, to use their imagination, and to identify their emotions and anxieties. The children with enuresis exhibited a greater tendency toward fragmentation in the perception of the self and of others, thus, a partial object relation. Conclusions: The Concept of the Object Scale for assessing object representations proved to be a useful instrument to grasp the level of the child’s psychological development. The study of the psychosomatic aspects permits an identification of relations between the body and self-esteem.