The Last-Weiss Rorschach Ego-Strength Scale as a Prognostic Measure for Psychiatric Outpatients

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that the Last and Weiss (1976) Rorschach Ego-Strength Scale (Σ E) would predict outcome among a representative sample of never-hospitalized psychiatric outpatients. 78 patients were assessed with structured symptom, psychiatric history, and social data interviews at the time of initial clinic contact and at 2-yr. follow-up. Outcome measures included the Menninger Health-Sickness Scale, a multidimensional variable involving social and work functioning and recent symptom level, symptom measures, and an index of diagnostic severity. Σ E, controlled for number of responses, correlated significantly with Health-Sickness, neurotic symptoms, diagnostic severity, and psychotic symptomatology. Among the components of Σ E, M +, and FC + had significant relationships or contributed to significant relations with outcome variables. Considered with an earlier study of inpatients, in which S + Σ E component correlated inversely with outcome, this study suggested that Σ E components have differing prognostic significance, depending on adaptational level of the patient.