Interpersonal dependency and personality pathology: variations in Rorschach Oral Dependency scores  across Axis II diagnoses.
Although several investigations have examined the relationship of Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD; Masling, Rabie, & Blondheim, 1967) scores to Axis I diagnosis, there has been very little research assessing variations in ROD scores across Axis II personality disorders (PDs). In this study, ROD scores were compared in 5 PD groups (borderline PD inpatients, borderline PD outpatients, avoidant-dependent PD outpatients, narcissistic PD outpatients, and antisocial PD outpatients), and 2 non-PD comparison groups (psychotic disorder inpatients and college students). Borderline PD inpatients had significantly higher ROD scores than borderline PD outpatients, antisocial PD outpatients, and college students; no other between-group differences were found. We discuss implications of these results for research on dependency and Axis II psychopathology and offer suggestions for future studies.
Bornstein
R F
RF
Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, PA 17325, USA. bbornste@gettysburg.edu
Hilsenroth
M J
MJ
Padawer
J R
JR
Fowler
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D009913:Oral Stage; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012392:Rorschach Test / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities