Depression indicators based on Rorschach variables and the Depressive Thoughts Scale (EDP)

• Grant number: 23/05332-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Fundamentals and Assessments in Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Camargo Batistuzzo
• Grantee: Fabiana Campos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psiquiatria Doutor Antonio Carlos Pacheco e Silva (IPq). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research proposes to study Rorschach variables that may contribute to the diagnosis of depression in the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS). Depression is a serious clinical condition, considered the most prevalent and disabling among mental disorders in Brazil and the world. Currently there are no indicators of depression in R-PAS, however R-PAS' organizers understand the importance of doing research to propose an indicator of depression for this system. This study will have a non-clinical sample and a clinical sample with 50 participants each. Samples will be paired by sex, age and education level. Participants from the clinical sample will be recruited at Grupo de Estudos de Doenças Afetivas (GRUDA) ambulatory from Instituto de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IPq FMUSP) and must be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, according to the criteria established in the DSM-5. Patient records will be consulted to obtain the results of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 disorders - Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV) and the Depressive Thoughts Scale (EPD). The following variables will be evaluated: R, F%, MOR, YTVC', V and C', r*3+Par, R8910%, EII-3, MC-PPD, ODL, AGC, TP-Comp and the constellation DEPI (CS). The variables Self Critical & Helpless Behaviour (SCHB), Pleasant and Appealing Expressions (PAE) e Elevated Mood States (EMS) will also be considered to evaluate comments presented by the participants about themselves or about the percepts seen during the test. The same protocol will be applied to all participants: identification data collection, sociodemographic data, Rorschach application and receive authorization from the subjects via informed consent approved by the Ethics Committee. It will be investigated if any of these variables can distinguish the groups by itself, or if it is possible to propose an indicator for depression in R-PAS.