Evidências de validade do Rorschach no diagnóstico de depressão em idosos

Abstract

Depression presents particularities about the risk factors, symptomatology and negative consequences for the quality of life of the elderly. To ensure a reliable assessment of these individuals affected by this complex disease, it s necessary to have valid instruments. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the validity of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CRS) in the assessment of depression in the elderly. To attain the suggested goal, three scientific productions are presented, where we evaluated the conditions of physical and mental health associated with depression in the elderly; after, we verified the concurrent RSC validity with depression scales and, finally, evaluated the RSC validity criterion in assessing the depression in the elderly. As statistical methods, we used descriptive and inferential analysis through the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Spearman correlation, with a 0.05 significance level. The results pointed to the female gender, low education, higher number of associated somatic diseases; use of greater amounts of drugs; greater intensity of chronic pain, cognitive impairment, greater functional dependence and worse self-rated health; distortions in thinking as low self-esteem, hopelessness; and perception of disfunctionality in social relations as factors associated with depression in the elderly. Regarding the correlations between the instruments: RSC, EPD and EBADEP-ID, the results showed significant correlations between the RSC variables X-%, S-, WSum6, W, X +%, X%, SumV, DEPI, MOR, Hd , Ego Index, H, AG, PHR, COP, GHR and CDI as indicators of depression associated with thoughts and self-reported depressive symptoms, demonstrating the value of RSC in evaluating this condition. Finally, in assessing the RSC criterion validity, there was an increase in the variables: X-% S-% WSum6, MOR, p> a + 1, SumV, CF, Hd, GHR <PHR and lowering the variables W, X +%, X%, H, EGO Index, COP, GHR in the clinical group compared to the non-clinical group. There was also an increase in the scores of the scales: EPD and EBADEP-ID in the clinical group. These results allude to cognitive impairments, emotional, auto related and relational in elderly patients with depression, supported by the increase of thoughts and depressive symptoms. Therefore, the findings point to the RSC, combined with other methods, an important tool in the assessment of depression in the elderly. Among the main contributions of this research stands out validity of the RSC to the qualification of psychological assessments in the context of depression in the elderly, providing useful information for decision-making on the appropriate treatment setting, and prevention actions and maintaining mental health of this population