Projective Response of Patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder Compared To Controls Based On Location Score in Rorschach Test

Physical complaints that have no clear cause are a process that is commonly seen in patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). The increasing number of patients with this disorder and its related chronic symptoms including changes in quality of life and loss of individual efficiency has created social and psychological economic costs for these patients and their families.

This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 70 patients with SSD having digestive symptoms and chronic pain referred to the health centers in Semnan, Iran in winter 2018. They were selected using a convenience sampling method. The data collection tools were 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms (PHQ-15) and Rorschach test (Exner’s Comprehensive System). In order to analyze the collected data, multiple linear regression analysis, logistic regression analysis, and multivariate ANOVA were performed in SPSS v. 22 software.

The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Semnan University of Medical Sciences (code: IR.SEMUMS.REC.1397.029).

Perceived location indices including D and Dd scores in Rorschach test were able to significantly differentiate the SSD patients from controls (P<0.05). In the logistic regression model, 70% of participants were classified properly.

There is difference in projective responses between SSD patients and controls, and patients were less holistic. Anxiety and psychiatric symptoms were also higher in patients with SSD.